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Category: US Senate

  • MIL-OSI USA: Schatz: USAID Shuttering Is Illegal, Inefficient, Counterproductive, And Carries Deadly Consequences Worldwide

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Hawaii Brian Schatz

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, issued the following statement after the Trump administration moved to eliminate 1,600 jobs at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and place the majority of personnel remaining on leave.

    “Trump’s attempted shuttering of USAID is both illegal and carries deadly consequences around the world. None of this is about achieving efficiency – rather, it’s about Trump trying to wish away whatever parts of the government he doesn’t like. In the meantime, as a direct consequence of illegally stopping aid from flowing, vulnerable people are on the verge of dying, diseases are spreading, famine is growing, and all of it threatens the economic and security interests of the United States and our allies and partners. Make no mistake: this indiscriminate and inhumane dismantling of a key instrument of American power undermines decades of work to build goodwill and trust with other nations, leaves an opening our adversaries are eager to fill, and will make all Americans less safe and secure for years to come.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin, Senate Judiciary, Approps Democratic Leaders Denounce President Trump’s Unlawful Transfer Of Immigrants To Guantánamo

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    February 24, 2025

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, led Democratic leaders of the Senate Judiciary and Appropriations Committees in a letter to President Trump denouncing his transfer of immigrants from the United States to Guantánamo as unlawful and asking for answers to basic questions yet to be provided to Congress.

    The Senators begin by denouncing the transfers, writing: “We write to object to your illegal and unjustified transfers of immigrants from the United States to the detention center at Naval Station Guantánamo Bay, which follows your directive to the Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security to prepare the base to hold tens of thousands of noncitizens. These actions are unprecedented, unlawful, and harmful to American national security, values, and interests. The United States has never sent anyone from the United States to be detained at Guantánamo before now.”

    The Senators continue by outlining the unlawful and unjustified nature of the directive, writing: “There is no basis in U.S. immigration law for transferring noncitizens arrested inside the United States to a location outside of the United States for detention prior to or for the purposes of conducting removal proceedings. Noncitizens inside the United States are entitled to numerous protections under U.S. immigration law and the U.S. Constitution. For example, removal processes under our immigration laws afford noncitizens due process and an opportunity to seek protection from removal to a place where they could face persecution or torture. These rights cannot be extinguished by transfer to a location outside the United States. Simply put, if the processes for obtaining a lawful removal order have not been followed, the forcible removal of a noncitizen to Guantánamo violates U.S. immigration law.”

    The Senators continue by refuting a false DHS statement to the Committee that suggests immigrants with final orders of removal do not need access to counsel, writing: “In addition, individuals in civil immigration detention have a right to access counsel under ICE detention standards, and immigration laws governing removal proceedings. Impeding access to counsel for detained immigrants also may violate the Constitution in some circumstances. In addition, individuals in immigration detention may have appeal or other review rights  and cannot be held indefinitely,  and the only effective means by which a detained individual could assert these rights would be through access to counsel.”

    The Senators also refute the Trump Administration’s false claim that only high-risk immigrants are detained, writing: “While no noncitizen should be sent from the United States to Guantánamo, it also appears that your Administration’s claims that it was sending ‘worst of the worst’ there are misleading. Public reporting indicates that noncitizens who DHS deemed low risk were sent to Guantánamo. In response to inquiries from Judiciary Committee staff, your Administration has even left open the possibility that families, including children, will be detained at Guantánamo, stating that future decisions regarding detention would be made on a ‘case-by-case basis.’”

    The Senators conclude with a striking portrayal of the practical ramifications of this decision before issuing a series of information requests, writing: “Your efforts to house or detain noncitizens forcibly removed from the United States at the MOC and the Camp 6 law of war detention facilities at Guantánamo are cruel, unlawful, and unprecedented. Such hasty and unlawful actions will cause harms to the United States for years to come. As those familiar with the long history of operations at Guantánamo can tell you, detaining individuals there is not a quick fix. Congress has not appropriated funds for such purposes for good reason. Given the isolated location of the base, its controversial history, and the lack of legal authority to detain noncitizens there, continuing down this path will invite more litigation, drain resources, place undue strain on our servicemembers, diminish military readiness, undermine support from our allies, and harm our standing in the world.”

    In addition to Durbin, the letter is signed by: U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee; Alex Padilla (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Border Security and Immigration; Chris Murphy (D-CT), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security; and Peter Welch (D-VT), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution.

    For a PDF of the full letter to President Trump, click here.

    Durbin has been a vocal advocate for shuttering the detention center at Guantánamo Bay. After holding the Committee’s first hearing on the need to close Guantánamo in 2013, Durbin held another hearing in 2021, where he reiterated his frequent calls to close the detention facilities. Durbin emphasized that keeping the detention center open undermines America’s moral standing and credibility around the world and wastes taxpayer dollars.

    In April 2021, Durbin led a group of 23 Senators in a letter to President Biden expressing support for finally closing the detention facility, which he again pressed the President to do in another letter with a group of Senators in February 2024.

    Alongside his efforts to close the Guantánamo detention facility, Durbin has called for justice for the victims of 9/11 and their loved ones. Durbin called on the government to secure guilty pleas from the defendants following years of delays in the military commission case against the accused September 11 plotters and applauded the plea deal that prosecutors ultimately secured in the case. After then-Defense Secretary Austin tried to revoke the guilty pleas just days after they were announced, Durbin urged the Secretary to reconsider on his decision in August and December 2024.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: On The Third Anniversary Of Russia’s Invasion Of Ukraine, Durbin Introduces Bill To Grant Ukrainians Already In The U.S. Temporary Guest Status

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    February 24, 2025

    WASHINGTON – On the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, today 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 Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) are original cosponsors of the legislation.

    “Three years ago today, Putin began his brutal, criminal, full-scale invasion of Ukraine—which remains on the frontlines of democracy and transatlantic security,” said Durbin. “When the war started, Americans across the country opened their hearts and communities to Ukrainians fleeing Russian aggression. Both Republicans and Democrats petitioned President Biden to protect them from deportation. While not a single Republican has cosponsored this bill, I urge them to join us to ensure Ukrainians legally present in the U.S. have temporary guest status until conditions in Ukraine are safe for return. Standing up to dictators and speaking out for victims of war should not be a partisan issue.”

    The individuals included in the bill already underwent rigorous vetting to ensure that they present no criminal or public safety risks. The legislation would also allow the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to revoke this temporary status if new information raises such concerns about any individual. Bill text can be found here.  

    The following organizations endorsed the Protecting our Guests During Hostilities in Ukraine Act: Refugee Council USA; Chin Association of Maryland; HIAS; World Relief; Center for Gender & Refugee Studies; Human Rights First; Church World Service; International Refugee Assistance Project; Global Refuge; Boat People SOS; Center for Victims of Torture; Jesuit Refugee Service; and Veterans for American Ideals.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Luján, Sullivan, Padilla, Sheehy Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Boost Wildfire Mitigation and Research

    US Senate News:

    Source: US Senator for New Mexico Ben Ray Luján
    As Wildfires Have Devasted New Mexico and Western States in Recent Years, Luján’s Bipartisan Bill Would Create Career Pathways to Tackle Growing Wildfire Threats
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) reintroduced the bipartisan Regional Leadership in Wildland Fire Research Act, legislation that would establish regional research centers at institutions of higher education across the country to boost wildfire mitigation and research. Under this legislation, these regional centers would be tasked with developing next-generation fire and vegetation models and technologies to support wildland fire management and address the specific needs of the region they are situated in. Additionally, this bill would establish a National Center Coordination Board to coordinate the work of regional centers and establish Regional Advisory Boards from wildfire management agencies, state and Tribal governments, and other stakeholders to provide input and assistance.
    According to the U.S. Fire Administration, current wildfire models are failing to adequately predict fire behavior under extreme conditions and in more complex environments. These models also struggle to reproduce recent catastrophic wildfires, making them more likely to fail at predicting future wildfires or determining when and where it is safe to conduct prescribed burns. To support effective wildland fire management and prepare firefighters against evolving risks, next-generation fire and vegetation models are needed.
    “Far too many communities in New Mexico and in states across the country know that wildfire season can cost you everything. We must do everything possible to understand the root causes of these wildfires and how local communities can improve wildfire mitigation efforts and save lives and livelihoods,” said Senator Luján. “I’m proud to partner with Senator Sullivan to reintroduce this bipartisan legislation to establish regional research centers tasked with developing next-generation fire and vegetation models and technologies to boost wildfire mitigation. Each of these regional centers will help boost wildland fire management across the country while creating more opportunities for a good-paying job through career training for wildfire research. I look forward to working with my colleagues to get this bill signed into law.”
    “Wildfires burn millions of acres in Alaska every year—sometimes as much or more than the combined acreage burned in the rest of the country,” said Senator Sullivan. “To better protect lives, homes and critical infrastructure, we need to invest in research that will produce more accurate models and empower our wildland firefighters to better predict and extinguish fires before they become full-scale natural disasters. I’m glad to reintroduce legislation with Senator Luján to establish wildland fire research centers at our universities with specialized expertise in this space—like UAF in Interior Alaska—and develop more effective firefighting strategies that respond to the unique circumstances of each of our states.”
    “Californians are all too familiar with the devastating toll catastrophic wildfires can take on their communities, burning down homes and businesses, and uprooting families’ livelihoods,” said Senator Padilla. “As the climate crisis makes wildfires more dangerous and harder to predict, expanding our wildland fire research would help us better prepare for wildfires and safely conduct prescribed burns ahead of peak fire season. California universities are already the nation’s leading hub for wildfire research and technology, and this bipartisan effort is a critical step forward in expanding next-generation fire mitigation efforts.”
    “If we’ve learned anything from recent wildfire tragedies across the country, it’s that the threat of catastrophic wildfires isn’t seasonal, nor is it isolated to one region; it’s a year-round, nationwide threat. I’m proud to join this bipartisan effort with my colleagues to invest in better anticipating wildland fires, streamlining our response, and ensuring we are fighting these fires faster and more effectively to keep communities safe,” said Senator Sheehy.
    Each regional research center will:
    Conduct research to improve our understanding of wildland fire, including causes and associated risks for fires, rehabilitation of affected ecosystems, mitigation strategies that improve firefighter safety, and more;
    Develop, maintain, and operate next-generation fire and vegetation models and technologies to support wildland fire management; and,
    Develop a career pathway training program to help carry out wildland fire research.
    The bill is supported by the Federation of American Scientists, Megafire Action, National Association of State Foresters, National Federation of Federal Employees, the Nature Conservancy, the University of New Mexico, and the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
    “The University of New Mexico stands in strong support of this legislation sponsored by Senator Ben Ray Luján and Senator Dan Sullivan, seeking to improve existing models of wildland fire risk and build new, improved forecasts of wildfire susceptibility. UNM, along with our state and federal partners, acknowledges the critical function this legislation will serve as we aim to provide more accurate information to land managers and firefighters who share our interest in protecting our local communities and forested watersheds, preserving rural livelihoods and sustaining agricultural economies in New Mexico for future generations,” said Garnett S. Stokes, President, The University of New Mexico.
    “We spend billions on improving our understanding of disasters like hurricanes and tornadoes – that hasn’t happened yet with megafire. The Regional Leadership in Wildland Fire Research Act recognizes and invests in our research community to produce region specific scientific research and solutions to catastrophic wildfires, allowing innovators and wildland firefighters to use this information to directly leverage technology to predict, detect, and prevent megafire,” said Matt Weiner, CEO of Megafire Action.
    “Extreme weather has pushed wildfires to grow in size and severity, making our current wildfire models inadequate. The Regional Leadership in Wildland Fire Research Act is a significant investment in understanding how wildland fire risks continue to evolve, and establishes a strong foundation that first responders and forest managers can rely on,” said Daniel Correa, Chief Executive Officer of the Federation of American Scientists. “We commend Senator Luján and Senator Sullivan for their leadership to champion and invest in innovative next-generation fire and vegetation models to protect human health, ecosystems, and our communities.”
    “Approximately 80% of Alaska’s population is living in areas at risk of wildland fire. It is vital that we improve our understanding of and develop better ways to prevent and combat wildland fire on a regional basis. The best way to accomplish these goals is through regional research efforts. I’m grateful Senator Sullivan recognizes this and thankful for his leadership and introduction of the Regional Leadership in Wildland Fire Research Act. UAF stands ready to advance wildland fire regional research to help protect lives and property in Alaska. I also want to thank Senator Luján for partnering with Senator Sullivan on this important legislation,” said Dr. Dan White, Chancellor of the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF).
    “NFFE is pleased to endorse the Regional Leadership in Wildland Fire Research Act, which will provide critical resources for research and technology that will help protect American communities from the wildfire crisis,” said NFFE National President Randy Erwin. “If we are to properly address devastating megafires and improve wildland firefighter safety, we must also develop the next generation of experts to support wildland fire research. Thank you to Senator Luján for his leadership on this issue.”
    Full text of the bill is available here. A one-pager of the bill is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Barrasso, Lummis Join Colleagues in Urging ATF to Rescind Biden’s Anti-2A Rules

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wyoming John Barrasso

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso, Senate Majority Whip, and U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis, both R-Wyo., joined U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) and their Republican colleagues in sending a letter to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) urging the agency to align with President Trump’s Second Amendment priorities laid out in his recent Executive Order.

    The letter also urged ATF Deputy Director Marvin Richardson to identify and rescind former President Biden’s unlawful firearm regulations, including the “Engaged in the Business” rule, pistol brace rule, so-called “ghost gun” rule, and “zero tolerance” policy under which ATF has revoked the licenses of federal firearm licensees (FFLs) over minor bookkeeping violations.

    “On Friday, February 7, 2025, President Donald J. Trump took decisive action to reaffirm law-abiding Americans’ Second Amendment rights in issuing his Executive Order, Protecting Second Amendment Rights. We urge you to immediately align ATF’s rules and policies with the President’s strong support for the Second Amendment,” the senators wrote.

    “Under former President Joe Biden, ATF adopted numerous policies and rules that infringed upon Americans’ Second Amendment protections. President Trump’s Executive Order directs Attorney General Pam Bondi to review and develop a plan of action regarding President Biden’s unlawful firearms regulations. We ask that you work with the Attorney General to quickly identify and rescind these policies.”

    Co-signers of this letter include Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), James Lankford (R-Okla.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.).

    Full text of the letter can be found here.

    Dear Deputy Director Richardson:

    Thank you for your service in leading the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) during the presidential transition. On Friday, February 7, 2025, President Donald J. Trump took decisive action to reaffirm law-abiding Americans’ Second Amendment rights in issuing his Executive Order, Protecting Second Amendment Rights. We urge you to immediately align ATF’s rules and policies with the President’s strong support for the Second Amendment.

    Under former President Joe Biden, ATF adopted numerous policies and rules that infringed upon Americans’ Second Amendment protections. President Trump’s Executive Order directs Attorney General Pam Bondi to review and develop a plan of action regarding President Biden’s unlawful firearms regulations. We ask that you work with the Attorney General to quickly identify and rescind these policies. In particular, we call your attention to the following anti-Second Amendment regulations and policies, which must be immediately rescinded:

    • The engaged in the business rule, which is an unconstitutional attempt to move ATF to do all it can to impose universal background checks on law-abiding Americans. ATF has been enjoined, at least temporarily, from enforcing the rule because it violated the text of the Gun Control Act.
    • The pistol brace rule, which improperly reclassifies pistols equipped with stabilizing braces as “short-barreled rifles” (SBRs), thereby subjecting them to stringent regulations and serious criminal penalties under the National Firearms Act and the Gun Control Act. We are troubled by the fact that ATF promulgated this rule after it previously determined that attaching a stabilizing brace to a pistol did not render the pistol an SBR. This rule threatens to put stabilizing braces out of reach of millions of gun owners, including disabled combat veterans who rely on them to be able to shoot heavy pistols. Furthermore, the rule made law-abiding Americans felons overnight for having lawfully purchased stabilizing brace equipped pistols. Multiple courts have already found the rule to be arbitrary and capricious under the Administrative Procedure Act, and it was ordered vacated by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. We appreciate the Government’s recent motions to hold ATF’s 5th and 11th Circuit appeals defending the rule in abeyance and to postpone oral argument, and ATF should work quickly to accede to the vacatur given the ongoing litigation.
    • The so-called “ghost gun” rule, which cracks down on law-abiding hobbyists who are exercising their Second Amendment rights to privately build firearms—a longstanding tradition that traces back to the Colonial Era. The regulations are currently before the Supreme Court, but ATF should act immediately to rescind this rule.
    • The “zero tolerance” policy, under which ATF has revoked the licenses of federal firearm licensees (FFLs) over minor bookkeeping violations. This policy violates a decades-long precedent of ATF working with FFLs to address these minor, unintentional violations and revoking FFL licenses only in cases of major, willful violations that threaten public safety. ATF should develop a program to restore the federal firearms licenses of those FFLs whose licenses were unfairly revoked—or surrendered under duress—where they did not engage in willful conduct (as understood prior to June 23, 2021, when the policy was announced) and do not represent at threat to public safety.

    In addition to promptly rescinding these rules and policies, we urge you to immediately destroy the hundreds of millions of ATF Form 4473 firearm transaction records and other licensee records that are over 20 years old. These records have no particular law enforcement value but do contain the sensitive information of millions of law-abiding gun owners. ATF should likewise return to the policy of allowing FFLs to destroy Form 4473 in their possession that are over 20 years old, which the Biden Administration initiated in violation of the federal prohibition on gun registration. Ending the policy of retaining these very old records will save money for the American taxpayer and counteract ATF’s unconstitutional rule change.

    Furthermore, we urge you to “continue collaboration to improve the process for” National Firearms Act applications. Congress recently instructed ATF to make these improvements. While NFA wait times have improved significantly, ATF must continue to “address ongoing delays in application processing times” until the archaic process is at least as efficient as the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. There is no reason that the right to purchase a firearm should be so greatly delayed; a right delayed is a right denied.

    The foregoing should not be considered a full accounting of every action or policy for which ATF may be held responsible under President Trump’s Executive Order but represent obvious and high priority places for ATF to initiate compliance.

    We look forward to working with you through the transition as you implement President Trump’s agenda and reorient ATF toward protecting Americans’ Second Amendment rights.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: “Through sustained action and engagement, things change in our country. They can change much faster than we expect,” Senator Coons writes ahead of Selma anniversary

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons

    WASHINGTON – In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), published an op-ed today in an issue of the Ripon Forum dedicated to the upcoming 60th anniversary of the Bloody Sunday attack on civil rights marchers in Selma, Alabama on March 7.

    Commemorating the anniversary of the Selma march, Senator Coons reflected on his friendship with John Lewis, the civil rights activist-turned-Congressman who retained hope in the promise of America despite growing up poor in the segregated South and nearly being beaten to death on Bloody Sunday. It was only a matter of months after the Selma march that the Voting Rights Act was enacted, protecting the values of American democracy.

    Today, American democracy once again needs protection. He describes how President Donald Trump’s “efforts to ‘flood the zone’ with shock and awe actions are an attempt to convince the country not just that this is how things are, but how they will always be going forward.” In the face of that assault, however, Senator Coons reminds Americans that through sustained action and engagement, change can come quickly to our country, and he urges Americans to reflect on Lewis’ courage and commitment to justice.

    Ripon Forum: Why Selma Matters Today

    “For many Americans, the promise of the Constitution seems hard to hang onto right now. Over the last several weeks, the new administration has tried to shred the rule of law and the traditions and institutions our government has relied on. President Trump’s efforts to “flood the zone” with shock and awe actions are an attempt to convince the country not just that this is how things are, but how they will always be going forward. 

    It is easy to give into despair and bitterness. Instead, I hope voters will think about John [Lewis] and the Selma marchers, only months away from realizing their dreams of the full right to vote. Through sustained action and engagement, things change in our country. They can change much faster than we expect.

    We must work hard to restore the things we believe in, even if it seems hope is limited: a vision of human rights that is inclusive, a commitment to the rule of law that is sustained, a belief in life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

    Change may not come in a matter of months, but above all else, we cannot stop believing that it will come. Despite it all, John never gave up on the promise of America and the work required to make it real. Neither may we.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville, Paul Introduce Legislation to Overhaul NIAID

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)
    Legislation would make national research institute directors Senate-confirmed positions
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) to introduce the NIH Reform Act to increase congressional oversight on leadership at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). The NIH Reform Act would separate the NIAID into three national research institutes: the National Institute of Allergic Diseases, the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, and the National Institute of Immunologic Diseases. Each new institute would be led by directors subject to Senate confirmation and limited to no more than two five-year-terms to prevent the unchecked authority that led to disastrous mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic.
    “Anthony Fauci single-handedly shut down small businesses, forced our children out of classrooms, and took away the opportunity for many Americans to say goodbye to loved ones during the COVID pandemic,” said Senator Tuberville. “It’s scary to think that someone who was never elected – or even confirmed by the Senate – had so much power over health care decisions that impacted millions of Americans.  We need greater transparency in our government’s institutions to ensure this never happens again. I’m proud to join Senator Paul in this legislation to increase oversight of the NIH and give the American people greater transparency surrounding our government institutions.”
    “For nearly four decades, Dr. Anthony Fauci sat atop a bureaucratic empire, wielding unchecked power over public health policy—despite never being confirmed by the Senate once,” said Dr. Paul. “He dictated mandates that shut down businesses, kept kids out of school, and trampled individual liberties—all while being the highest-paid official in the federal government. That kind of power without oversight is dangerous, and my legislation will ensure it never happens again. This legislation will bring accountability and oversight into a taxpayer-funded position that has largely abused its power and has been responsible for many failures and misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
    U.S. Representative Chip Roy (R-TX-21) introduced the legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
    Complete text of the bill can be found here.
    BACKGROUND:
    Dr. Anthony Fauci was Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for over 38 years—longer than J. Edgar Hoover was Director of the FBI. By the time he retired, he was the highest paid official in the entire federal government. Yet the Senate never voted to confirm him once. Current law does not require Senate confirmation of the NIAID Director.
    The NIAID’s stated mission is “to better understand, treat, and ultimately prevent infectious, immunologic, and allergic diseases.” This sweeping mandate covers everything from asthma to Ebola, from peanut allergies to the plague. As the head of that institute, Dr. Fauci installed himself as a de facto pandemic czar, advocating for misguided policies like mandatory vaccinations for school-aged children (one of the populations least at risk from COVID-19).
    To improve accountability of the NIH, the NIH Reform Act will restructure the NIAID to better align with its mission as follows:
    Abolish the NIAID and replace it with the following three new institutes:
    National Institute of Allergic Diseases
    National Institute of Infectious Diseases
    National Institute of Immunologic Diseases
    The directors of each new institute would be:
    Appointed by the president
    Subject to Senate confirmation
    Limited to no more than two 5-year terms
    This type of reorganization is nothing new. In the aftermath of J. Edgar Hoover’s decades-long tenure as head of the FBI, Congress passed a law in 1976 limiting the FBI Director to a single 10-year term, and as recently as 2012, Congress eliminated one center within the NIH and replaced it with a new one. In the aftermath of the damage done by pandemic-era mandates and restrictions, Congress must enact the NIH Reform Act to ensure that one official cannot claim the unquestioned authority to dictate the federal response to public health emergencies.
    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: 02.24.2025 Sens. Cruz, Cornyn, Schumer, Gillibrand Reintroduce Border Airport Fairness Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas Ted Cruz
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) introduced the Border Airport Fairness Act, legislation that would designate user fee airports within 30 miles of a land border as a port of entry (POE) and eliminate duplicative government fees.
    Upon introduction of the Border Airport Fairness Act, Sen. Cruz said, “Congress needs to take advantage of every opportunity to improve efficiency in logistics and travel in the United States. By giving our border airports the designation they deserve, we will put them on the same footing as all the other similarly situated primary commercial service airports. This will boost commerce in the Rio Grande Valley and upstate New York and reduce repetitive costs that affect both airports and travelers. As Commerce Committee Chairman, I look forward to working with my colleagues to get this important legislation enacted.”
    Sen. Cornyn said, “Right now, airports in Harlingen, Texas, and Plattsburgh, New York, have to pay to hire U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents despite their close proximity to the border, resulting in higher costs for both the airports and travelers. This legislation would designate these airports as official ports of entry, requiring CBP to provide agents.”
    Sen. Gillibrand said, “This is a commonsense, bipartisan bill that will designate Plattsburgh International Airport as a port of entry. This change will save the airport hundreds of thousands of dollars each year – money that the airport will then be able to spend on infrastructure upgrades and passenger experience improvements. I’m proud to be introducing this bill and look forward to getting it passed.”
    Read the full text of the bill here.
    BACKGROUND
    Currently, user fee airports like the Valley International Airport (VIA) in Harlingen, Texas, and Plattsburgh International Airport (PBG) are the only two Primary Commercial Service airports in close proximity to a U.S. border land crossing that are not ports of entry and are not international or landing rights airports. This designation means that these airports must pay potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars to staff the airport with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents. While these existing airports, and other potential future airports, qualify as ports of entry under the CBP’s criteria through their association with the nearest land border crossing, they have not received this designation—resulting in increased costs for these airports and travelers who fly in and out of these airports.
    Sen. Cruz, Cornyn, and Gillibrand previously introduced this legislation during the 118th Congress and Sen. Cruz introduced this legislation during the 117th Congress.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Fischer Announces Commerce Subcommittee Assignments & Chairmanship

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nebraska Deb Fischer
    Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) released her subcommittee assignments for the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation in the 119th Congress:
    Chair, Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Media
    Member, Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Freight, Pipelines, and Safety
    Member, Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Technology, and Data Privacy
    “Nebraska’s communities rely on connectivity—in both transportation and telecommunications—to thrive. This is especially true in our rural communities, which are too often neglected in policy conversations. I look forward to continuing my work on the Commerce Committee this Congress where I will advocate for Nebraskans’ needs, especially as Chair of the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Media,” said Senator Fischer.The Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Media has broad jurisdiction over communications matters, including telephone, internet, satellite, broadcast, wireline and wireless broadband, spectrum management, and public safety communications. In the 119th Congress, Senator Fischer will lead the subcommittee’s efforts to keep Americans connected along with Ranking Member Ben Ray Luján (D-NM).

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Joins Durbin, Senate Judiciary, Approps Democrats in Denouncing President Trump’s Unlawful Transfer of Immigrants to Guantánamo

    US Senate News:

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

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, joined Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, along with Democratic leaders of the Senate Judiciary and Appropriations Committees in sending a letter to President Trump denouncing his transfer of immigrants from the United States to Guantánamo as unlawful and asking for answers to basic questions yet to be provided to Congress. 
    The Senators begin by denouncing the transfers, writing: “We write to object to your illegal and unjustified transfers of immigrants from the United States to the detention center at Naval Station Guantánamo Bay, which follows your directive to the Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security to prepare the base to hold tens of thousands of noncitizens. These actions are unprecedented, unlawful, and harmful to American national security, values, and interests. The United States has never sent anyone from the United States to be detained at Guantánamo before now.”  
    The Senators continue by outlining the unlawful and unjustified nature of the directive, writing: “There is no basis in U.S. immigration law for transferring noncitizens arrested inside the United States to a location outside of the United States for detention prior to or for the purposes of conducting removal proceedings. Noncitizens inside the United States are entitled to numerous protections under U.S. immigration law and the U.S. Constitution. For example, removal processes under our immigration laws afford noncitizens due process and an opportunity to seek protection from removal to a place where they could face persecution or torture. These rights cannot be extinguished by transfer to a location outside the United States. Simply put, if the processes for obtaining a lawful removal order have not been followed, the forcible removal of a noncitizen to Guantánamo violates U.S. immigration law.” 
    The Senators continue by refuting a false DHS statement to the Committee that suggests immigrants with final orders of removal do not need access to counsel, writing: “In addition, individuals in civil immigration detention have a right to access counsel under ICE detention standards, and immigration laws governing removal proceedings. Impeding access to counsel for detained immigrants also may violate the Constitution in some circumstances. In addition, individuals in immigration detention may have appeal or other review rights and cannot be held indefinitely, and the only effective means by which a detained individual could assert these rights would be through access to counsel.” 
    The Senators also refute the Trump Administration’s false claim that only high-risk immigrants are detained, writing: “While no noncitizen should be sent from the United States to Guantánamo, it also appears that your Administration’s claims that it was sending ‘worst of the worst’ there are misleading. Public reporting indicates that noncitizens who DHS deemed low risk were sent to Guantánamo. In response to inquiries from Judiciary Committee staff, your Administration has even left open the possibility that families, including children, will be detained at Guantánamo, stating that future decisions regarding detention would be made on a ‘case-by-case basis.’”  
    The Senators conclude with a striking portrayal of the practical ramifications of this decision before issuing a series of information requests, writing: “Your efforts to house or detain noncitizens forcibly removed from the United States at the MOC and the Camp 6 law of war detention facilities at Guantánamo are cruel, unlawful, and unprecedented. Such hasty and unlawful actions will cause harms to the United States for years to come. As those familiar with the long history of operations at Guantánamo can tell you, detaining individuals there is not a quick fix. Congress has not appropriated funds for such purposes for good reason. Given the isolated location of the base, its controversial history, and the lack of legal authority to detain noncitizens there, continuing down this path will invite more litigation, drain resources, place undue strain on our servicemembers, diminish military readiness, undermine support from our allies, and harm our standing in the world.”  
    In addition to Sens. Welch and Ranking Member Durbin, the letter is signed by Senators Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee; Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Border Security and Immigration; and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security. 
    Last Congress, Senator Welch joined Senator Durbin in sending a letter to President Biden expressing support for finally closing the Guantánamo Bay detention facility. 
    Read the full text of the letter. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Statement on Trump White House Victory Against the Associated Press

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    “As we have said from the beginning, asking the President of the United States questions in the Oval Office and aboard Air Force One is a privilege granted to journalists, not a legal right. We stand by our decision to hold the Fake News accountable for their lies, and President Trump will continue to grant an unprecedented level of access to the press. This is the most transparent Administration in history.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Mobile Office Hours in Larimore and Mayville Postponed

    US Senate News:

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

    BISMARCK, N.D. – Mobile office hours in Larimore and Mayville have been postponed. Members of U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer’s (R-ND) staff were scheduled to hold mobile office hours Thursday, February 27 at 9:00 a.m. CT in Larimore and 11:00 a.m. CT in Mayville. More information will be announced at a later date regarding rescheduling the office hours.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hickenlooper, Bennet, Colleagues Reintroduce Bill to Combat Wildfires, Drought Across the West

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Colorado John Hickenlooper
    Protect the West Act would invest $60 billion to reduce wildfire risks, restore watersheds, and protect communities
    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper, Michael Bennet, Ron Wyden, Ruben Gallego, and Jacky Rosen reintroduced the Protect the West Act, which invests $60 billion in forests across the West to reduce wildfire risk, restore watersheds, protect communities, and decrease the cost of fighting wildfires.
    “Colorado’s forests, grasslands, and waterways are the bedrock of our outdoor economy,” said Hickenlooper. “Every effort we make to prevent wildfires and mitigate the impact of climate change is an investment in Colorado’s future.”
    “In the West, our forests, grasslands, and watersheds are essential to our economy and way of life. But they are under threat from the worsening effects of climate change and consistent underinvestment from the federal government,” said Bennet. “As we face a 1,200-year megadrought and wildfire season that never seems to end, we need to break from the status quo and invest in the restoration of our forests and public lands to meet this challenge. We have no time to waste.”
    “Climate change is threatening our way of life in Colorado. We must act,” said Crow. “The Protect the West Act would help combat intensifying wildfires and help better protect Colorado communities.”
    “With summers getting dryer and hotter, the West and Oregon’s treasured lands are a tinderbox waiting to light ablaze,” said Wyden. “In my town halls, I’ve heard countless Oregonians fearing for their health and safety while struggling to maintain their economic livelihood as severe drought and wildfires wreak more havoc on their communities every year. More investments are needed to protect our forests and watersheds so local communities across the West are healthy and can have the opportunity to explore its beautiful natural treasures for generations.”
    “In Arizona and across the West, we face a rapidly growing backlog of projects for wildfire mitigation, drought resilience, and land restoration,” said Gallego. “I’m proud to help introduce the Protect the West Act which will finally give states and tribes the tools they need to take on these projects, all while creating good-paying jobs and boosting rural economies.”
    “Nevada’s forests and public lands are increasingly susceptible to wildfires, drought, and other extreme weather events. We need to do everything we can to protect our communities from the damage caused by these disasters and bolster our ability to recover,” said Rosen. “This critical legislation will support Nevada’s wildfire mitigation and restoration efforts, helping to keep Nevadans safe. I’ll always work to ensure Nevada has the resources it needs to fight wildfires and other weather-related events.”
    In the West, our strong outdoor rec industry and our agricultural communities depend on healthy lands, forests, and waterways. Increasingly frequent wildfires threaten those communities and our economy.
    Currently, the federal government spends approximately $2.9 billion to fight wildfires every year, with costs expected to increase by a billion by 2050. Already, the U.S. spent nearly $48 billion fighting wildfires over the last five years.
    Preventing wildfires before they even start is thirty times more cost-effective. Investing in fire mitigation and making our communities more resilient will save taxpayers money by reducing response and recovery costs.
    Specifically, the Protect the West Act would:
    Establish an Outdoor Restoration & Watershed Fund to better support local efforts to restore forests and watersheds, reduce wildfire risk, clean up public lands, enhance wildlife habitat, remove invasive species, and expand outdoor access
    Establish an advisory council of local, industry, conservation, Tribal, and national experts to advise funding priorities, coordinate with existing regional efforts, and provide oversight
    Empower local leaders by making $20 billion directly available to state and local governments, Tribes, special districts, and nonprofits to support restoration, drought resilience, and fire mitigation projects
    Partner with states and Tribes to invest $40 billion to tackle the backlog of restoration, fire mitigation, and resilience projects
    Create or sustain over two million good-paying jobs, primarily in rural areas, to support existing industries like forest product, agriculture, and outdoor recreation
    Save landowners and local governments money by investing in wildfire prevention and natural hazard mitigation.
    “The Protect the West Act is a significant investment in Colorado’s natural resources and Colorado is proud to support its reintroduction in the US Senate,” said Dan Gibbs, Executive Director, Colorado State Department of Natural Resources. “As Colorado experiences drought and continued threats from devastating wildfires, now is the time to invest in Colorado’s forests, watersheds, and landscapes that drive economic activity across the west, employ thousands of Americans, and provide environmental and ecological benefits to our communities and wildlife.”
    “One of the greatest threats to our Tribal lands are the devastating wildfires caused by the extreme drought conditions in the western United States,”said the Southern Ute Indian Tribe. “Sen. Bennet’s Protect the West Act will provide much needed investment in conservation, restoration and wildfire mitigation. A key component of this legislation is Sen. Bennet’s recognition of the importance that Tribes have in land use and regulation, assuring that funds will be made available directly to Tribes for maintenance of our forests, watersheds and rangeland. Moreover, he assures that Tribes will have a seat at the table in determining the distribution of funds, ensuring that there will be a tribal representative working alongside our state and federal partners on the Restoration Fund Advisory Council. We thank Sen. Bennet for introduction of this important legislation and look forward to its swift passage in Congress.”
    “Healthy watersheds face numerous challenges, including increasing drought, longer and hotter fire seasons, disconnected watersheds and degraded streams that no longer support healthy fisheries. The most effective way to tackle this challenge is through partnerships and collaborative conservation at the landscape scale,” said Chris Wood, President and CEO of Trout Unlimited. “The Protect the West Act would foster collaboration and provide resources for public-private partnerships to restore lands and waters across multiple jurisdictions, creating jobs and better fishing along the way. We thank Senator Bennet for his leadership and vision to restore our lands and waters at the scope and scale that will make a difference for future generations.”
    “The Colorado River District’s highest priority is to protect the water security of Western Colorado. Water security starts with our forests,” said Andy Mueller, General Manager, Colorado River District. “Our largest source of water is the snowpack that develops in our forests above 9,000 feet in elevation, mostly on federal lands. Sen. Michael Bennet’s $60 billion Protect the West Act proposal is a direct water security initiative through the funding of proactive watershed protection actions. These actions would help prevent catastrophic fires and start restoration work where warming temperatures and fires have already done harm. It’s noteworthy that $20 billion will be available to fund projects generated at the state and local levels. We applaud Senator Bennet for advocating for important western priorities in the Senate.”
     “I support the Senator’s Protect the West Act. This is a great first step in recognizing and acknowledging the problem that was created over 30 years ago,” said Merrit Linke, Grand County Commissioner. “The lack of proactive management and the ‘hands-off’ approach is now clearly having devastating effects on our communities, forest health and sustainable watersheds. This bill addresses this problem, provides much needed funding, and hopefully is the beginning of a new era in resource management. Now it is time to get to work.”
     “As Western communities continue to face the threats and the impacts of the climate crisis, now is the time to pursue initiatives that will help us become more resilient,” said Jon Goldin-Dubois, President of Western Resource Advocates. “The Protect the West Act will provide critical resources to help Western states mitigate wildfire, restore forests, improve air and water quality, and advance equity, all while pumping billions of dollars into local economies and supporting millions of good-paying jobs; it’s a true win-win. We applaud Senator Bennet for his leadership and look forward to supporting this legislation to build a more resilient West.”
    “Healthy forests support fish and wildlife habitat and outdoor access important to hunters, anglers, and recreationists in Colorado and across the nation,” said Joel Pedersen, CEO, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “However, decades of inadequate funding for forest management have placed a strain on the National Forest System that will require active management and sustained funding to increase workforce capacity. Further, these investments will help to ensure we’re better prepared to address the growing risks associated with wildfire.  The TRCP applauds the proactive investments in our forests and watersheds and the additional resources for growing the forest management workforce provided through the Protect the West Act.”
    The bill is supported by: The National Wildlife Federation, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, National Association of State Foresters, The Freshwater Trust, American Forests, National Wild Turkey Federation, National Audubon Society, Family Farm Alliance, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Western Landowners Alliance, Western Resource Advocates, Trout Unlimited, and Conservation Legacy.
    U.S. Representative Jason Crow introduced companion legislation in the House.
    The full text of the bill is available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy, Blumenthal, Colleagues Urge Secretary Rubio To Restore Critical Global Health Programs To Keep Americans Safe

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) joined 19 of their Senate colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging him to restore funding for global health, development, and humanitarian programs. In the wake of the Trump administration’s abrupt termination of key foreign assistance programs and personnel without review, the senators highlight the national security imperatives of U.S. global health efforts, which keep Americans safe, strengthen U.S. leadership, and increase global stability.

    “The Trump Administration’s freeze on foreign assistance and opaque waiver process, coupled with the attempted dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has significantly weakened our ability to respond to emergencies, left gaps in disease surveillance, and undermined global partnerships— leaving a vacuum that our adversaries are eager to fill,” the senators wrote.  

    Without American global health programs, current outbreaks of infectious diseases like Ebola, Marburg Virus, and Bird Flu have the potential for spreading to U.S. soil. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an infectious disease can spread from a remote village to a major city in the United States in as little as 36 hours. Additionally, the foreign assistance funding freeze has stopped critical Malaria interventions before peak transmission and paused many clinical trials and data collection endeavors that require continuous data collection. As a result, product development for desperately needed drugs and vaccines have been brought to a halt. 

    “The U.S. cannot afford to withdraw from the global stage. Weak health systems in already fragile regions create opportunities for infectious disease to spread unchecked, for extremist groups to gain influence, and for adversaries to expand their reach,” they continued.

    The senators warned Secretary Rubio that Russian leaders have publicly praised the decision to dismantle USAID, an agency that helps counter China’s efforts to expand its Belt and Road Initiative in Africa and Latin America. Additionally, China is already stepping in to fill the vacuum left by the United States at the World Health Organization.  

    “We urge you to reverse the damaging personnel actions at USAID, and swiftly restart U.S. investments in global health, development, and humanitarian aid—not just as a moral obligation, but as part of the necessary strategy to protect America’s national security. In the meantime, there must be a clear process to achieve and implement waivers for these critical programs… Restoring these investments and the professional staff with training and skillsets to implement these life-saving programs will strengthen global health security, reinforce our leadership on the world stage, and make us safer at home,” the senators concluded.

    U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) also signed the letter.

    Full text of the letter is available HERE and below:

    Dear Secretary Rubio,

    At a time when the world faces increasing instability—from disease outbreaks, to violent conflicts, to economic crises—U.S. investments in global health, development, and humanitarian aid are more than acts of goodwill; they are strategic imperatives contributing to our strength, security, and prosperity. Without strong and sustained U.S. leadership, American lives and economic stability is at risk.

    The Trump Administration’s freeze on foreign assistance and opaque waiver process, coupled with the attempted dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has significantly weakened our ability to respond to emergencies, left gaps in disease surveillance, and undermined global partnerships— leaving a vacuum that our adversaries are eager to fill.

    The freeze on global health activities is particularly troubling. There is resounding evidence that global health programs protect Americans. Recent history has shown that infectious disease outbreaks in distant regions can quickly reach U.S. soil, causing devastation to lives and livelihoods. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a disease can spread from a remote village to a major city– including in the United States– in as little 36 hours. Such deadly diseases continue to emerge in countries which need assistance to respond. Consider the following examples:

    1. Ebola: Uganda is currently experiencing a deadly outbreak of Sudan Ebola virus in its capital city of Kampala, with a population of 1.9 million people. Suspected cases have also been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. USAID and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) global health programs are critical to helping countries control and manage these outbreaks. The 2014-2016 West African Ebola outbreak spread beyond the region, with cases reaching the U.S. and Europe. American led investments in global health systems helped contain the crisis, prevented further transmission and strengthened global preparedness. Just within the last four years, USAID and CDC frontline health responders played critical roles in halting 11 similar outbreaks, but we are unaware of any USAID personnel having been deployed to Kampala to specifically respond to the outbreak. The Trump Administration’s retreat from these investments has left the world—and the U.S.—more vulnerable to future outbreaks.
    2. Marburg Virus: Tanzania recently confirmed an outbreak of Marburg virus—an illness as deadly as Ebola, but with less treatment and vaccine options. This deadly outbreak has highlighted the urgent need for disease surveillance and rapid response. The U.S. has long been a leader in these efforts, but the freeze on USAID has hindered our ability to detect and contain these threats before they become global crises.
    3. Malaria: While malaria may seem like a distant problem, it deeply affects regions where the U.S. has significant interests. The next few weeks, just before peak transmission, are critical for malaria prevention campaigns. Malaria is preventable, but if this particular window is missed, lives will be lost, most of whom will likely be children. The President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) has reduced cases and deaths worldwide, fostering healthier, more productive societies and reducing the risk of political instability and migration crises. The halt in U.S. funding threatens decades of progress. According to Malaria No More, halting PMI programs for 90 days would prevent the delivery of approximately: 9 million insecticide-treated bed nets; 25.3 million rapid diagnostic tests for malaria; 15.6 million life-saving antimalarial treatments; 48 million doses of seasonal malaria chemoprevention; and safe, effective indoor residual spraying for 3.8 million people.
    4. Bird Flu: Bird flu has already caused one death in the U.S. and is currently circulating throughout America’s livestock. With the foreign aid freeze, the monitoring of bird flu effectively ends in 49 countries, leaving the U.S. in the dark regarding a pressing threat should the virus evolve or mutate to start spreading more rapidly among humans.
    5. PEPFAR: Though the waiver for certain PEPFAR activities is slowly being implemented, critical prevention services remain paused. Without access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and other prevention services, HIV transmission will increase, risking an upsurge of the disease across partner countries and undermining the more than $100 billion in U.S. investment contributed toward the HIV response to date.

    In addition, the foreign assistance funding freeze has paused many clinical trials and data collection endeavors that require continuous data collection. This will significantly delay the product development timelines for desperately needed drugs and vaccines. Clinical trials are now hanging on by a thread and will have to shut down soon if the pause is not lifted. This risks the health of the trial participants around the world and the lives in the U.S. and globally that could be saved thanks to the results of these trials. Furthermore, U.S. global health programs that treat, monitor, and prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Polio, and other infectious diseases are all vital to saving lives and keeping Americans safe.

    The U.S. cannot afford to withdraw from the global stage. Weak health systems in already fragile regions create opportunities for infectious disease to spread unchecked, for extremist groups to gain influence, and for adversaries to expand their reach. Already, Russian leaders have publicly applauded the decision to dismantle USAID, an agency that is also uniquely positioned to forestall China’s expansion of its Belt and Road Initiative in Africa and Latin America. China is already trying to fill the vacuum left by the United States at the World Health Organization when President Trump issued his intent to withdraw. Investing in foreign assistance, including global health and development programs, strengthens our alliances, promotes stability, and reduces the need for costly emergency interventions and military engagements.

    We urge you to reverse the damaging personnel actions at USAID, and swiftly restart U.S. investments in global health, development, and humanitarian aid—not just as a moral obligation, but as part of the necessary strategy to protect America’s national security. In the meantime, there must be a clear process to achieve and implement waivers for these critical programs. Nearly all USAID staff and critical implementing partners have been eliminated and payment systems are not functioning for the vast majority of implementers, rendering the waiver process irrelevant. Restoring these investments and the professional staff with training and skillsets to implement these life-saving programs will strengthen global health security, reinforce our leadership on the world stage, and make us safer at home. Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: OP-ED: Firing Military Officers for Perceived Political Disloyalty Endangers the Nation

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed

    The following op-ed by U.S. Senator Jack Reed appeared exclusively in The Washington Post:

    Donald Trump’s quest for power is endangering our military.

    On Friday evening, the president dismissed Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as well as Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the chief of naval operations, and a number of other senior officers — including the judge advocates general for the Army, Navy and Air Force — for perceived political disloyalty. He is also reportedly considering dismissing additional officers who lack “requisite leadership qualities.”

    The implications for our national security cannot be overstated. A clear message is being sent to military leaders: Failure to demonstrate personal and political loyalty to Trump could result in retribution, even after decades of honorable service. In particular, firing the military’s most senior legal advisers is an unprecedented and explicit move to install officers who will yield to the president’s interpretation of the law, with the expectation they will be little more than yes men on the most consequential questions of military law.

    Trump has already fired the Coast Guard’s top admiral, Linda Fagan, for reasons that appear political. He has taken partisan steps by stripping retired Gen. Mark A. Milley and former defense secretary Mark T. Esper of their protective details and removing their portraits from the Pentagon.

    The firings are sure to create a dangerous ripple up and down the ranks. Leaders might hesitate to refuse illegal orders, speak their minds about best practices or call out abuses of power.

    A commitment to provide the “best military advice” exists at every level in the ranks. Commanders expect their troops to give them the facts, straight and true, because lives are on the line. But firing officers as a political litmus test poisons this military ethos. It sends an immediate signal to service members that the best military advice might have career-ending consequences.

    Congress expects the same candor from senior officers as presidents have enjoyed for decades. Lawmakers like me rely on senior officers to provide their best judgments — without fear of retribution — for both the security of our country and that of the 2 million service members who put themselves in harm’s way.

    As retired Gen. Martin Dempsey and Peter Feaver recently wrote: “Preemptively firing generals would only politicize the military and make it less candid, less ready, less professional and less lethal.”

    Trump’s advisers have defended the firings and their “warrior board” proposal by pointing to Gen. George C. Marshall’s “plucking board” of 1940, which removed senior military officers who had languished in the service for years. Marshall’s actions did lead to a number of generals being dismissed. But the current administration fails to acknowledge that Marshall’s board was not designed to cull senior leaders for their personal beliefs but rather to quickly create promotion opportunities for promising junior officers ahead of America’s entrance to World War II.

    The comparison is not relevant. Young officers at that time were stymied by a promotion system that rewarded seniority above merit, unlike today’s system.

    Further, Marshall was able to carry out his review board only because Congress — through the Second Supplemental Appropriation Act of 1940 — reformed the criteria for military promotions by prioritizing merit over seniority. Trump is endangering our security by ignoring existing law and injecting politics and nonmerit principles into the military promotion system.

    As in Marshall’s era, the United States will face threats in the years ahead, and we must ensure that the rising generation of military leaders is prepared to meet them.

    U.S. service members, like the nation they represent, are extremely diverse in racial, socioeconomic and political backgrounds. All of them should expect that they can have successful careers in the military. However, if young Americans perceive the military to be a place where leaders are punished at the whims of politicians, we will lose countless potential recruits.

    When I joined the Army in the early 1970s, the military was rife with racial tension, women were prohibited from many roles and entire communities of Americans were banned from serving. Today, our military is fully integrated and every qualified individual, regardless of gender, race, religion or sexual orientation may pursue a military career. By no coincidence, our military is more lethal than ever.

    We need it to remain so. Trump is entitled to a staff of civilians who are politically loyal to him. For the safety of all Americans, however, his military officers must remain free to give their best military advice without fear of reprisal.

    Jack Reed, a Democrat, represents Rhode Island in the U.S. Senate and is a former Army paratrooper.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reed Rebukes Trump’s Politically Charged Firing of Military Officers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
    WASHINGTON, DC – Tonight, after President Trump fired a number of senior U.S. military officers, including General Charles “CQ” Brown, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Lisa Franchetti, the Chief of Naval Operations, General James Slife, the Air Force Vice Chief of Staff, all Judge Advocates General for the Army, Navy, and Air Force, and is reportedly considering firing a number of other senior U.S. military officers, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement:
    “I am troubled by the nature of these dismissals. This appears to be part of a broader, premediated campaign by President Trump and Secretary Hegseth to purge talented officers for politically charged reasons, which would undermine the professionalism of our military and send a chilling message through the ranks.
    “I salute General CQ Brown, Admiral Lisa Franchetti, General James Slife, and their fellow officers for their outstanding service. Each of them have had brilliant careers and led with great courage, honor, and distinction. We owe all of them a debt of gratitude for their service and sacrifice.
    “America has the strongest, most capable military in the world. But firing uniformed leaders as a type of political loyalty test, or for reasons relating to diversity and gender that have nothing to do with performance, erodes the trust and professionalism that our servicemembers require to achieve their missions.
    “A professional, apolitical military that is subordinate to the civilian government and supportive of the Constitution rather than a political party is essential to the survival of our democracy. For the sake of our troops and the well-being of every American, elected leaders—especially Senate Republicans—must defend that enduring principle against corrosive attempts to remake the military into a partisan force.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reed Statement on Life & Legacy of Judge Bruce M. Selya

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
    PROVIDENCE, RI – After the recent passing of Judge Bruce M. Selya, 90, a proud son of Providence who became the first Jewish person to ascend to the federal bench in Rhode Island — serving as a senior U.S. circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit and later as chief judge of the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review — U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) issued the following statement today hailing Judge Selya’s remarkable life and legacy:
    “Rhode Island has lost a legal legend whose outstanding contributions to the community and the people of Rhode Island go well beyond his four decades of remarkable service on the federal bench. 
    “As a judge, Bruce Selya was nationally renowned and respected and set a high bar that many others in his profession admire and aspire to reach.  As a man, he will be remembered for his exemplary devotion to the law and uplifting others, particularly those in his beloved hometown of Providence.
    “A man of great wisdom, integrity, modesty, wit, and high ethical standards, Judge Selya was known for his thoughtfulness, keen intellect, and judicial temperament.  He touched countless lives in his courtroom and beyond, including legions of law clerks he mentored over the years, including U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Ketanji Brown Jackson.
    “Over the course of his impressive legal career, he had a hand in over 1,800 opinions, many written in his signature, concise writing style that brings complex issues into focus.  He participated in notable cases that helped shape and influence the nation’s jurisprudence.
    “An inspiration to many, his example will continue to serve as a guiding light to future generations of lawyers and judges.  And his philanthropic work will continue to make a positive difference.
    “Our heartfelt condolences to his beloved wife Cindy, their children, grandchildren, and extended family and friends.  We join them in mourning a great loss, and in celebrating a life well lived.  Thank you, Your Honor, for a lifetime of service to others and for your undying dedication to the people of Rhode Island and the principles of democracy and justice for all.”
    Born and raised in Providence, Selya attended Classical High School before going on to graduate with honors from Harvard Law School.  In 1982, Selya was nominated to U.S. District Court by President Ronald Reagan and later elevated to the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in 1986.
    In 2000, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist appointed Selya to the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation, a position Selya held until 2004.  In 2005, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts appointed Selya to the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review, and in 2008 Selya was appointed to the chief judgeship of the Court of Review.
    Selya contributed his time and talents to many community causes and public service endeavors, including leadership roles on numerous and diverse institutional boards.  He taught law school students and received honorary degrees from Bryant University, Roger Williams University, and Brandeis University.
    In 2023, the City of Providence designated Fulton Street as Judge Selya Way.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Merkley, Wyden: Trump Devastates Oregon’s Rural Communities with Federal Funding Cuts and Mass Firings

    US Senate News:

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

    February 24, 2025

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley, the former top Democrat on the Appropriations subcommittee overseeing the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and Ron Wyden demanded recently confirmed U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins immediately reverse disastrous actions at the USDA that have harmed Oregon farmers and families.

    Their letter follows President Donald Trump’s illegal executive orders cutting federal funds which support farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners and mass firings across the federal government, impacting researchers at units in Burns, Newport, Hood River, and Pendleton.

    “These funding freezes and mass firings are cutting jobs, stopping essential investments for our farmers and rural communities, and making our communities less resilient to market volatility from climate, supply chain disruptions, tariffs, and natural disasters,” wrote the Senators. “These agency actions must be immediately reversed.”

    The Senators stressed the effects on Oregon by saying, “Many of our constituents have already started much-needed infrastructure projects – such as irrigation modernization under the Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations Program to help farmers in drought-prone areas upgrade their irrigation practices to increase efficiency and conserve water – under the assurance that they would receive their grant money. Halting these payments means that a project in Hood River County will not only be delayed for over 100 days but will put the irrigation district at risk of insolvency. Even if funds are restored immediately, the current delay will ultimately increase the overall costs of this and other urgent projects while also costing hardworking Americans their jobs. Preventing grant recipients from finishing their projects is not a cost-effective or efficient approach to governance and is irresponsible stewardship of Congressionally appropriated taxpayer dollars.”

    “While there are reports that some funds have been released, in accordance with the Constitution and federal law, we direct you to immediately release all funds under these grants to ensure these projects stay on schedule, on budget, and preserve jobs. Further, we direct you to stop these senseless firings and restore these dedicated public servants to their jobs to enhance our agriculture industry, protect food safety, and bolster jobs in rural communities and throughout Oregon,” the Senators directed.

    Full text of the letter can be found by clicking here and follows below:

    Dear Secretary Rollins,

    On the same day he was sworn in, President Trump signed an Executive Order effectively halting all investments under the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act, commonly known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and Inflation Reduction Act, jeopardizing vital programs that support Oregon farmers and families. Despite court intervention at other agencies pausing these harmful cuts, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) continues to freeze critical funding, which continues to cause severe disruption to farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who are implementing projects under these landmark pieces of legislation. Since then, the Trump Administration has also fired an estimated 4,200 dedicated public servants in Oregon and across the country, grinding critical work and research to a halt across the agency.

    These funding freezes and mass firings are cutting jobs, stopping essential investments for our farmers and rural communities, and making our communities less resilient to market volatility from climate, supply chain disruptions, tariffs, and natural disasters. These agency actions must be immediately reversed.

    Critical research partnerships with universities and local farmers and ranchers through the USDA Agricultural Research Service are devastated with uncertain futures after public servants at research stations in Pendleton, Burns, Hood River, Corvallis, and Newport were fired. This vital work helps Oregon’s leading agricultural sectors find solutions toward improving soil health, dealing with wildfire smoke exposure in wine grapes, protecting the rangeland for both ranchers and ecosystems, and navigating threats like disease and pests to reliably bring global-class products to market.

    Many of our constituents have already started much-needed infrastructure projects – such as irrigation modernization under the Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations Program to help farmers in drought-prone areas upgrade their irrigation practices to increase efficiency and conserve water – under the assurance that they would receive their grant money. Halting these payments means that a project in Hood River County will not only be delayed for over 100 days but will put the irrigation district at risk of insolvency. Even if funds are restored immediately, the current delay will ultimately increase the overall costs of this and other urgent projects while also costing hardworking Americans their jobs. Preventing grant recipients from finishing their projects is not a cost-effective or efficient approach to governance and is irresponsible stewardship of Congressionally appropriated taxpayer dollars.

    Other projects, such as programs that partner with farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners in over half of Oregon’s 36 counties – including in Baker, Coos, Crook, Douglas, Grant, Jefferson, Klamath, Lake, Malheur, Morrow, Polk, Umatilla, Union, and Wheeler counties – to confront the challenges of drought and other extreme weather events have had the rug pulled out from under them. These landowners have already started projects amounting to tens of millions in investments to build operational and environmental resiliency into our food systems by implementing innovative production practices, increasing market competitiveness, and supporting local manufacturing.

    Other longer-term grants for wildfire resiliency through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program, such as a $22.25 million investment for work in Jackson County, has also been frozen. This has paused vital work to help ensure local landowners can not only recover from past devastating wildfires but are able to protect their neighbors and communities from future wildfires.

    Grant recipients are expecting reimbursement or payment for projects already underway and instead have been met with the message that their projects were either being paused or completely stopped. Many of these recipients are now scared to come forward for fear of further retribution and loss of vital federal support.

    While there are reports that some funds have been released, in accordance with the Constitution and federal law, we direct you to immediately release all funds under these grants to ensure these projects stay on schedule, on budget, and preserve jobs. Further, we direct you to stop these senseless firings and restore these dedicated public servants to their jobs to enhance our agriculture industry, protect food safety, and bolster jobs in rural communities and throughout Oregon.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: McConnell on Three-Year Anniversary of Russia’s Escalation in Ukraine

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kentucky Mitch McConnell
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) issued the following statement today regarding the three-year anniversary of Russia’s escalation in Ukraine:
    “Three years ago today, as Russia escalated its unprovoked 2014 invasion and occupation of Ukraine, I predicted that the world would watch closely how the United States responded. Foes would search for signs of weakness, and friends would hope for signs of strength. I shared this hope – and have worked hard to help realize it – but have more often shared disappointment in costly failures.
    “For years, even as Ukraine’s brave defense of its sovereignty exceeded expectations, America’s response under President Biden was a sluggish, piecemeal affair constantly plagued by self-deterring fears of Russian escalation. Time and time again, the previous Administration squandered opportunities for decisive battlefield impact by withholding critical weapons from Ukraine until political pressure forced its hand.
    “Meanwhile, this terrible conflict has driven many European NATO allies to make long-overdue investments in defense industrial capacity. Over the past three years, Europe’s aid commitments to Ukraine have more than doubled the United States’. Today, the trans-Atlantic alliance looks with greater suspicion at the influence of Putin’s strategic partner in Beijing.
    “Likewise, from the other side of the globe, Indo-Pacific allies recognize that Russian success in Ukraine will encourage the PRC’s own ‘special military operations’ and coordinated aggression across their region. They’ve left little room for doubt – by vocal and material support for Ukraine – that the consequences of Western weakness would be global. If America’s primary strategic objective is deterring Chinese aggression, it is difficult to imagine a more self-defeating step than the willful alienation of the allies we will need to accomplish it, in Europe and Asia, alike.
    “But even as America’s allies see our interests converging and the most successful military alliance in the history of the world restores its commitments to hard power, the previous Administration’s shameful hesitation and half-measures threaten to give way to something even more disgraceful: the obstinate denial of America’s security interest in Ukraine’s success. Refusing to acknowledge Russia as the undeniable and unprovoked aggressor is more than an unseemly moral equivalency – it reflects a gross misunderstanding of the nature of negotiations and leverage.
    “Blame for this human catastrophe rests solely on Vladimir Putin. Here’s how we know: If Russian forces laid down their arms, Europe would be at peace. If Ukrainian forces laid down theirs, Putin’s aims would not stop with Kyiv. Mistaking this fact is as embarrassing as it is costly.
    “‘Peace for our time’ is a noble end, but hope that appeasement will check the ambitions of this aggressor is as naïve today as it was in 1939. America is right to seek an end to this war, but an end that fails to constrain Russian ambition, ensure Ukrainian sovereignty, or strengthen American credibility with both allies and adversaries is no end at all. Instead, such a hollow peace would invite further aggression.
    “Today, an axis of aggressors from Beijing to Moscow seeks an outcome in Ukraine that undermines the credibility of American deterrence and leaves U.S. interests more vulnerable. Without a clear and resolute commitment to the leadership and order that underpins our prosperity and security, America’s adversaries will receive exactly what they hope for. There is no question that the entire world is watching.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: MEDIA ADVISORY: Sanders, Welch, Balint to Hold Statewide Telephone Town Meeting

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Vermont – Bernie Sanders
    BURLINGTON, Vt., Feb. 24 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sen. Peter Welch, and Rep. Becca Balint will hold a statewide telephone town meeting on Wednesday, February 26 at 6:30 p.m. to hear directly from Vermonters about the challenges they are facing in their daily lives, their concerns for their families, their communities, their state and the world, and how the federal government can work to address those concerns.
    Vermonters can look for an incoming call from Senator Sanders’ office on Tuesday evening inviting them to participate in the town meeting the following evening. The caller ID should read “Senator Sanders.” Another call will go out on Wednesday just before 6:30 p.m. to connect Vermonters to the event. Anyone who would like to ensure they receive a call to join the event can register here by Tuesday, January 25 at 11:59 p.m. Participants can also submit questions in advance through the registration form. During the call, the lawmakers will respond to live questions from phone participants as well as ones submitted through the registration form.
    Vermonters can also watch the livestream of the event at https://www.facebook.com/senatorsanders.
    DetailsWhat: Statewide Telephone Town Meeting with Sen. Sanders, Sen. Welch and Rep. BalintWhen: Wednesday, February 26, 6:30 p.m. ETWhere: By telephone and Facebook livestreamDetails: Vermonters and members of the press who do not receive a call can listen to the event at https://www.facebook.com/senatorsanders. The event will also be livestreamed on the Facebook pages of Sen. Welch and Rep. Balint.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NEWS: Sanders Files Joint Resolutions of Disapproval to Block Trump Arms Sales to Israel

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Vermont – Bernie Sanders
    WASHINGTON, Feb. 24 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) last week filed four Joint Resolutions of Disapproval (JRDs) that would block the sale of $8.56 billion in offensive U.S. weaponry to Israel.  
    Earlier this month, the Trump administration notified Congress of its approval of four major offensive arms sales to Israel, including tens of thousands of the bombs, missiles and artillery shells Israel has used to destroy huge swathes of Gaza and Lebanon. These munitions are directly implicated in tens of thousands of civilian deaths.
    The sales include: 
    $6.75 billion for 2,166 Small Diameter Bombs, 2,800 500-pound bombs and tens of thousands of fuzes and Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) guidance kits for use on bombs.
    $688 million for 15,500 additional JDAM guidance kits for use on bombs and an additional 615 Small Diameter Bombs.
    $660 million for 3,000 Hellfire Air-to-Ground Missiles.
    $312.5 million for 10,000 155mm High Explosive artillery shells.
    The export of these weapons would clearly violate the criteria laid out in the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Arms Export Control Act (AECA). 
    “Israel had the right to defend itself against Hamas and respond to the barbaric October 7, 2023, terrorist attack, which killed 1,200 innocent people and took over 240 hostages,” said Sanders. “But Netanyahu’s extremist government has instead waged an all-out war against the entire Palestinian people, killing more than 48,000 and injuring more than 111,000 – the vast majority of whom are women and children.” 
    “Tragically, much of this carnage has been carried out with American bombs and weapons,” Sanders continued. “Netanyahu has used our bombs to damage or destroy almost 70 percent of the structures in Gaza, including hundreds of schools. All of this has been done in clear violation of U.S. and international law. With Trump and Netanyahu openly talking about forcibly displacing millions of Palestinians from Gaza – in other words, ethnic cleansing – it would be unconscionable to provide more of the bombs and weapons Israel has used to kill so many civilians and make life unlivable in Gaza.” 
    The Foreign Assistance Act and the AECA require that arms transfers must be consistent with internationally-recognized human rights, advance U.S. foreign policy interests, and avoid the association of the United States with any human rights violations. Reliable human rights monitors have rigorously documented numerous incidents involving these systems leading to unacceptable civilian death and harm. 
    Upon introduction of a Joint Resolution of Disapproval under the AECA, the Foreign Relations Committee has ten calendar days to consider the resolution in committee (or five calendar days for Foreign Military Sales to NATO allies and major non-NATO allies, including Israel). After this period, the sponsor(s) of the resolution can force a floor vote on a motion to discharge the resolution from committee. The resolution is privileged, meaning it cannot be amended or filibustered, and it requires a simple majority for the motion to discharge the resolution from committee and for final passage.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Graham Statement After Senate Agrees To Budget Resolution to Secure the Border, Revitalize our Military and Unleash American Energy

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Lindsey Graham

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, today made this statement after the Senate agreed to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 budget resolution by a vote of 52-48.

    The FY 2025 budget resolution is the blueprint for a fully paid for reconciliation bill to secure the border, bolster our military and increase American energy independence.

    “This budget resolution is a complete game changer when it comes to securing our border and making our military more lethal. It will allow President Trump to fulfill the promises he made to the American people — a very big deal.

    “As Senate Budget Committee Chairman, I’m incredibly pleased by the discipline shown by my Senate Republican colleagues to ensure that the most transformational border security bill in history can soon become a reality.

    “This budget resolution allows the Judiciary and Homeland Security Committees to spend up to $175 billion in total to implement President Trump’s border security agenda. It instructs the Armed Services Committee to spend up to $150 billion to make our military more lethal. It also allocates up to $20 billion to be spent to modernize the Coast Guard.

    “It does not direct how money will be spent — it only sets a number.

    “This budget resolution directs other Senate committees to find spending cuts to fully pay for the much-needed funding for border security and the U.S. military.

    “I hope the House can pass one big bill that meets President Trump’s priorities. But this approach provides money that we needed yesterday to continue the momentum on securing our border, enforcing our immigration laws, and rebuilding our military. Time is of the essence.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Republicans Block Durbin-Murray Amendment To Reverse Devastating And Illegal Cuts To NIH Medical Research

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
    February 21, 2025
    SPRINGFIELD – Last night during the Senate’s vote-a-rama, Senate Republicans blocked U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Senator Patty Murray’s (D-WA) amendment that would reverse massive, arbitrary cuts to lifesaving medical research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that President Donald Trump and Elon Musk tried to make earlier this year by freezing federal grant funding and setting the maximum reimbursement rate for indirect costs to 15 percent. The amendment would have reversed the Trump Administration’s indiscriminate cuts to biomedical research and the lifesaving work supported by the NIH at research institutions across the country. Durbin spoke on his amendment on the Senate floor last night. To watch his remarks, click here.
    “My Republican colleagues know as I do—that President Trump’s cuts, freezes, gag orders, and firings are devastating medical research at NIH. Since we get sick on a bipartisan basis, shouldn’t we stand together on a bipartisan basis for medical research at NIH?” Durbin said on the Senate floor. 
    The Trump Administration’s move to freeze federal grant funding and change the indirect costs rate are both illegal, as Congress’ bipartisan Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Bill prohibits modifications to NIH’s indirect costs, and Congress—not the President—has the constitutional “power of the purse” authority to determine how federally appropriated dollars are spent. Both policies are currently temporarily blocked by the courts, though there is evidence that the Trump Administration is defying court orders.
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Reintroduced Bipartisan Legislation To Protect Rural Postal Processing Facilities

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
    February 24, 2025
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD) reintroduced bipartisan legislation that would require the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to protect mail processing centers in rural communities by mandating a study on the consequences of downsizing or closing these facilities, which is already required before the closure of a storefront post office, but not forProcessing and Distribution Centers (P&DCs).  The Postal Processing Protection Act would ensure that efficient service is not interrupted by the closure or downsizing of a mail processing center, especially as Postmaster General Louis DeJoy’s “Delivering for America” plan continues to dismantle the postal service and as President Trump threatens to put USPS under the control of the executive branch. USPS has operated as an independent entity since 1970.
    USPS’s reviews of processing facilities do not require them to consider the impact on rural areas as long as the change gains efficiencies.  However, USPS’s reviews of post office retail locations do require them to answer whether closing the location is consistent with their obligation to provide effective and regular postal services to rural areas.  This legislation would require USPS to consider the impact to rural areas when closing or downsizing processing centers, just as they do with closing post office retail locations.
    This bipartisan legislation is a response to the downsizing of P&DCs located in Peoria, Milan, and Springfield, Illinois, which has impacted the locations’ ability to process mail efficiently.
    “If I drop a piece of mail off in Springfield to go across town, why should it have to go all the way to St. Louis and back?  Postmaster General DeJoy’s ‘Delivering for America’ plan, which included downsizing three mail processing centers in our state, is decimating a service that Illinoisans rely on,” said Durbin.  “I’m joining Senator Rounds to reintroduce the Postal Processing Protection Act to ensure that USPS leadership does its due diligence in studying the impact of consolidating or altering mail processing and shipping facilities before crippling critical USPS locations.”
    “Rural mail services are a lifeline for South Dakotans,” said Rounds. “We must make certain that residents across our entire state are able to receive letters and packages in a timely manner.  USPS is required to review impact to rural residents when closing a retail location, so it’s only right that they consider the impact for processing facilities as well.” 
    After the announcement of proposed changes to mail processing centers in March 2024, Durbin led his Illinois colleagues in sending a letter calling on Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to reconsider his decision to eliminate mail processing at P&DCs in Peoria, Milan, and Springfield.  In their letter, the lawmakers noted that any move to alter operations at existing P&DC facilities in Illinois would only exacerbate delayed mail delivery in the state.
    In March 2024, Durbin joined 20 of his Senate colleagues to urge Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to stop any changes to USPS service standards that would result in job losses and further degrade mail delivery performance, especially in rural areas. 
    Click HERE for full bill text.
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Boozman, Schmitt, Van Hollen Champion Bipartisan Legislation to Support Americans With Disabilities

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Arkansas – John Boozman
    WASHINGTON––U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) partnered with Senators Eric Schmitt (R-MO) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) to introduce theEnsuring Nationwide Access to Better Life Experience (ENABLE) Act, bipartisan legislation to make several provisions related to Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) savings accounts permanent.
    ABLE accounts allow Americans with disabilities and their families to utilize tax-free savings programs without losing eligibility for federal programs such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income.
    “Individuals with disabilities and their loved ones need flexibility to help meet financial needs. Giving them that opportunity is common sense and I’m pleased to support a bipartisan effort to ensure they can continue to save for the future and achieve financial security free from costly penalties,” said Boozman.
    “I was proud to lead the introduction of the ENABLE Act in the 118th Congress, where this critical legislation passed the Senate. I entered public service to fight for people like my son Stephen. Stephen was born with a rare genetic disease, is on the autism spectrum, has epilepsy, and is non-verbal. I know firsthand how critical ABLE accounts are to individuals with disabilities and their families. ABLE accounts allow individuals with disabilities to save for their future and ease burdens on their families. It’s a common-sense solution that provides an easy fix for those who depend on ABLE accounts, and I’m proud to have bipartisan, bicameral support for this important piece of legislation,” said Schmitt.
    “I worked alongside a bipartisan coalition to create the ABLE Program over a decade ago to expand financial tools for people with disabilities and their families. Since then, it has helped empower more than a hundred thousand Americans and provide greater flexibility for families to support loved ones with disabilities. Making these key ABLE provisions permanent will build on the success of the ABLE Act and allow these Americans and many more to continue growing their savings and strengthening their economic independence,” said Van Hollen.
    The ENABLE Act will make the below provisions that are set to expire this year permanent:
    529 to ABLE Rollover: Permits an individual with a disability to rollover savings from a 529 education savings account to an ABLE account that are less than or equal to the annual ABLE contribution limit tax and penalty free;
    ABLE Saver’s Credit: Permits an individual with a disability who makes qualified contributions to an ABLE account eligible for a nonrefundable saver’s credit of up to $1,000; and
    ABLE to Work: Permits an individual with a disability who is employed to contribute an additional amount to his or her ABLE account provided it is not greater than either the prior year’s federal poverty level for a one-person household ($15,060 in 2024), or the beneficiary’s yearly compensation.
    The legislation is cosponsored by Senators Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Katie Britt (R-AL), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Thom Tillis (R-NC), John Fetterman (D-PA), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Chris Coons (D-DE), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ). 
    Congressmen Lloyd Smucker (R-PA-11) and Don Beyer (D-VA-08) have introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. 
    Click here to view the text of the bill

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Boozman, Scott, Hill Work to Roll Back Biden-Era CFPB Overdraft Rule

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Arkansas – John Boozman

    WASHINGTON––U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott (R-SC) and House Financial Services Committee Chairman French Hill (R-AR-04) introduced a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to overturn the Biden administration’s Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) final rule capping overdraft fees at banks and credit unions, citing the rule’s damaging impact on access to important financial services. 

    “The CFPB’s overreach is well established and only intensified during the Biden administration. Instead of bringing more consumers into the banking system, this overdraft rule will push them away to unregulated lenders and I’m pleased to join my colleagues to block it,” said Boozman.

    “The Biden administration’s CFPB routinely targeted legitimate payment incentives and practices in pursuit of political headlines over sound policies. The overdraft rule was yet another example – many consumers rely on overdraft services to make ends meet and limiting this practice will push Americans to riskier financial products. I’m proud to lead the effort to overturn this misguided rule and protect Americans’ access to important financial services,” said Scott.

    “As I have consistently said, the CFPB needs guardrails on its enforcement and rulemaking powers, and this rule is another clear example of why. The CFPB’s actions on overdraft is another form of government price controls that hurt consumers who deserve financial protections and greater choice. Our CRA will help overturn this harmful rule and is a next step toward ensuring the CFPB halts all ongoing rules until it answers to Congress, just like any other non-independent federal agency,” said Hill. 

    The resolution is also supported by Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Jim Risch (R-ID), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Katie Britt (R-AL) and Pete Ricketts (R-NE).

     The CRA has the support of key stakeholders including the Consumer Bankers Association, the Independent Community Bankers of America, the American Bankers Association and America’s Credit Unions.

    A CRA resolution is a tool used by Congress to eliminate onerous regulations imposed by the executive branch through an expedited procedure for consideration in the Senate. A joint resolution of disapproval under the CRA is afforded special privileges that bypass normal Senate rules and allow for a vote on the Senate floor. When a CRA resolution is approved by a simple majority in both chambers of Congress and signed by the president – or if Congress successfully overrides a presidential veto – the rule is invalidated.    

    Click here for full text of the resolution

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Remarks by President Trump Before Marine One Departure

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    class=”has-text-align-center”>South Lawn
    (February 22, 2025)
    1:35 P.M. EST
         THE PRESIDENT:  So, we had a lot of news over the last 24 hours.  We had the hostages given back today.  It’s disgraceful what’s going on there.  They’re not in great shape, but we’ve also seen them in worse shape.  But the hostages — the six hostages were delivered by Hamas.  What a terrible situation it is. 
    I’m going now to make a speech at CPAC, so I think we’re going to include a lot of your subjects.  And I know it’s going to be covered by all of you.  And so, I’ll see you at CPAC.
    How are you?
                                  END                    1:35 P.M. EST

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gillibrand Statement On Politically Motivated Firings Of Senior U.S. Military Officers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand

    Tonight, after President Trump fired a number of senior U.S. military officers, including General Charles Brown, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Admiral Lisa Franchetti, the Chief of Naval Operations; General James Slife, the Air Force Vice Chief of Staff; and the Judge Advocates General for the Army, Navy, and Air Force, and in the wake of reporting that Trump is considering firing a number of other senior U.S. military officers, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement:

    “I am deeply disturbed by President Trump’s politically motivated purge of senior military leaders. This loss of experience makes our military less ready, undermines our national security, and ultimately makes Americans less safe. These firings also undermine the principle that our military owes its allegiance to the Constitution and to the American people – not to a particular party or president. 

    Among the exceptionally qualified leaders Trump fired tonight is Lisa Franchetti, who was the first woman on the Joint Chiefs of Staff and had more time in command at sea than any of her recent predecessors. This administration has made bogus claims that Admiral Franchetti and other purged leaders secured their positions only because of their gender or race, despite the fact that they came to their roles with decades of experience and were confirmed with broad bipartisan support.

    I urge Senate Republicans to resist these attempts to politicize our military and make a stand for the long tradition of a nonpartisan military.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gillibrand Applauds Restoration of WTCHP Staff Who Serve 9/11 First Responders

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand
    U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand applauded the reversal of terminations of World Trade Center Health Program staff. Senator Gillibrand and Senator Chuck Schumer had previously demanded that U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. take action to reverse these cuts, which stood to directly impact care for our 9/11 first responders and survivors.
    “I am glad that President Trump reversed the terminations of World Trade Center Health Program staff, who are absolutely critical to the health and well-being of 9/11 first responders and survivors,” said Senator Gillibrand. “However, the bottom line is that these firings should have never occurred in the first place, and they show how this haphazard approach by President Trump is hurting real people. In the coming weeks, Democrats and Republicans will work together to strengthen this program once and for all, and that effort should receive the same level of support from the White House.”
    The WTCHP provides medical monitoring and treatment for first responders and survivors diagnosed with 9/11-related health conditions, including many types of cancers, respiratory illnesses, and more.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Luján Named Ranking Member of Commerce Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Media

    US Senate News:

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

    Subcommittee Oversees Key New Mexico Priorities Including Broadband Access and Public Safety Communications

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) was named Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Media for the 119th Congress. Senator Luján previously served as Chair, formerly named the Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband, since 2021.  

    “New Mexicans know the difference between fast internet, slow internet, and no internet. Broadband is a necessity for daily life, and I am proud to once again represent New Mexico on this critical subcommittee to ensure every household in our state and across the country has affordable, secure, and reliable internet access,” said Senator Luján. “Since being elected to the Senate in 2020, I have been proud to chair this subcommittee which has broad jurisdiction over communications policy, including federal spectrum, broadband affordability & accessibility, public safety communications, network resiliency, broadcasting & streaming, and the Internet.

    “In this Congress, I look forward to serving as Ranking Member and working closely with Senator Fischer to continue our bipartisan work to expand broadband access, secure communications networks, and enact policies that will benefit all Americans,” continued Senator Luján. “The subcommittee is at the center of critical debates over the future of access to media, including streaming and Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. Far too many communities throughout the country have been left without broadband access, and I won’t stop working until every New Mexican is connected.”

    Background on Senator Luján’s work on the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Media:

    During the 117th and 118th Congress, Senator Luján chaired a total of 11 subcommittee hearings on key issues, ranging from broadband buildout and affordability, to protecting Americans from robocalls, to preventing harms online. In May 2023, as Chair of the Subcommittee, Senator Luján created a bipartisan, bicameral working group to evaluate and propose potential reforms to the Universal Service Fund. During the 117th Congress, as chair of the subcommittee, Senator Luján successfully helped pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that created the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program, as well as the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which delivered broadband access to over 55 million Americans.

    Background on the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Media:

    The Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Media has jurisdiction over matters relating to communications, including includes telephones, cell phones, the Internet, commercial and noncommercial television, cable, satellite broadcast, satellite communications, wireline and wireless broadband, radio, consumer electronic equipment associated with such services, and public safety communications. The subcommittee is also responsible for oversight of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) at the Department of Commerce, which is the federal agency primarily responsible for the management of government spectrum and advising the President on telecommunications policy.

    MIL OSI USA News –