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Category: US Senate

  • MIL-OSI USA: After Pressure From Warren, HHS Secretary Nominee RFK Jr. Will Amend Flawed Ethics Agreement

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    January 31, 2025
    Washington, D.C. – During Wednesday’s Senate Finance Committee hearing, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.)questioned President Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. about his apparent conflicts of interest. Following pressure from Senate Democrats, RFK Jr., today in written responses to Senator Warren, agreed to amend his flawed ethics agreement (see Warren QFRs at the end of Part 2 and start of Part 3). 
    In response to this new information, Sen. Warren released the following statement:
    “After public pressure from Senate Democrats, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has acknowledged dangerous conflicts of interest that would allow him to profit from an anti-vax lawsuit while serving as HHS Secretary. While he has now pledged in writing to fix his flawed ethics agreement, the answers he has provided to this committee also raise new questions about the scope of his conflicts.
    “Given these ongoing questions, RFK Jr.’s nomination must not move forward to any Senate vote until the details of his revised ethics agreement can be thoroughly reviewed. It’s also critical that the revised ethics agreement ensures that he cannot use his role as Health Secretary to open the floodgates to more anti-vaccine litigation and then cash in after he leaves office, including adopting a four-year post-employment ban on accepting any compensation from lawsuits involving any entity regulated by HHS.
    “It would be insufficient for RFK Jr. to only divest his interest in the Gardasil case while leaving the window open to profit from other anti-vax lawsuits, including future cases he could bring after leaving office.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: WATCH: Senator Reverend Warnock Highlights Potential Cost Spikes for Seniors Due to Trump Administration Policies in Senate Aging Hearing

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia

    WATCH: Senator Reverend Warnock Highlights Potential Cost Spikes for Seniors Due to Trump Administration Policies in Senate Aging Hearing

    During a Wednesday Senate Aging committee hearing, Senator Reverend Warnock highlighted the dangers of the temporary federal funding freeze issued by the Trump Administration and its impact on health care costs for seniors
    Senator Reverend Warnock also focused on the federal funding freeze’s potential negative impact on food affordability and accessibility
    Senator Reverend Warnock during the hearing: “This Trump freeze will hurt Georgia’s seniors, make life more expensive for them, including our veteran seniors who need care” 
    Hearing expert witness Alex Lawson: “The price of prescription drugs for decades, pharmaceutical corporations have been able to raise the prices year after year, enormously above the rate of general inflation. They do it because they can. They do it for greed alone and seniors pay the consequence of this”

    Watch video of Senator Reverend Warnock’s questioning at Wednesday’s Senate Aging committee hearing HERE
    Washington, D.C. – Today, during a Senate Aging Committee hearing, Senator Reverend Warnock continued to highlight the importance of lowering costs for seniors and working-class Georgians. The hearing, called Making Washington Work for Seniors: Fighting to End Inflation and Achieve Fiscal Sanity, brought attention to several Trump Administration policies and executive orders that are likely to increase everyday costs for seniors, making their medication, utility bills, and other everyday needs more expensive.
    “Seniors, particularly those of modest means, rely on these funds [vouchers programs] to help pay for food, medicine, in-home care, rent, energy and heating bills in the dead of winter, and many other federal programs that ensure dignity throughout a person’s life,” said Senator Reverend Warnock during the hearing. 
    During the hearing, Senator Warnock also addressed the importance of extending Premium Tax Credits, which were established through the Affordable Care Act, citing by example that a senior Georgia couple, with a household income of $80,000, would see their annual premium go up by nearly $17,000 if the credits aren’t extended.
    “Mr. Lawson, how would extending the enhanced PTC support the fiscal sanity of seniors?” Senator Warnock asked Alex Lawson.
    “It would be fiscal insanity not to extend it and think that it’ll do anything other than drive millions of older Americans into poverty because you can’t just increase a bill $16,000 and expect that money to just come from nowhere,” said Lawson.
    Senator Warnock has long championed efforts to expand affordable health care access, starting with his advocacy to close the health care coverage gap in Georgia. In the Inflation Reduction Act, Senator Warnock secured two of his proposals in the law capping the cost of insulin at $35 a month for Medicare patients and capping the cost of prescription drugs for seniors at $2,000 a year. The Senator also pushed for solutions to close the coverage gap. Last year, Senator Warnock introduced the Capping Prescription Costs Act,legislation to expand the cap of annual out-of-pocket prescription drug costs at $2,000 for individuals and $4,000 for families. Senator Warnock remains committed to preserving and protecting access to health care for all Georgians.
    Watch the Senator’s full remarks and line of questioning HERE.
    See below the transcript the exchanges between Senator Warnock and the Aging Committee witness.
    Senator Reverend Warnock (SRW): “Today’s hearing, discussing the consequences of high prices on seniors, could not be more timely. On Monday evening, the Trump Administration ordered a total illegal freeze of federal taxpayer funds going out to communities and Georgians. This illegal funding freeze includes programs that are essential to seniors with lower and fixed incomes. I’m thankful that a federal judge temporarily halted this illegal freeze yesterday afternoon, but these programs are still at risk. The Trump Administration, to be very clear, has rescinded the OMB memo. They have not rescinded the executive order.” 
    “Mr. Lawson will the pauses to payments for nutrition programs or the Older Americans Act make food more affordable and accessible for seniors?”
    Alex Lawson (AL): “No, Senator, it would do the opposite.”
    SRW: “So what they did on Monday night won’t help?”
    AL: “It will hurt.”
    SRW: “How about a pause on payments for federal housing vouchers? Will that help?”
    AL: “That will not help. That will also hurt.”
    SRW: “And what about a pause on energy assistance funds?”
    AL: “Same answer. This won’t help at all. It will only hurt seniors.”
    SRW: “I would agree with that. Seniors, particularly those of modest means, rely on these funds to help pay for food, medicine, in-home care, rent, energy and heating bills in the dead of winter, and many other federal programs that ensure dignity throughout a person’s life.”
    “This Trump freeze will hurt Georgia’s seniors, make life more expensive for them, including our veteran seniors who need care.”
    “Mr. Lawson, how can the federal government help bring down costs for seniors?”
    AL: “One of the best ways is to focus in on one of the key drivers, that is really the rock, in the rock and the hard place, that seniors are in.”
    “The price of prescription drugs, for decades, pharmaceutical corporations have been able to raise the prices year after year, enormously above the rate of general inflation.” 
    “They do it because they can. They do it for greed alone and seniors pay the consequence of this.”
    “That’s too often having to cut their pills in half, or forgo their prescriptions, or face the choice of am ‘I going to pay my rent, or my heating bill, or be able to afford my drugs this month.” 
    “That is the reality that millions of Americans face. Now, President Biden and Democrats in Congress passed a bill that allows Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices for the first time ever, and there will be a reduction in the prices of some specific drugs. But what we could do is expand that to all drugs. Why get ripped off on any drugs?”
    SRW: “Absolutely. And I’m proud that in that provision which caps the cost of prescription drugs, my insulin bill, which caps the cost of insulin to no more than $35 of out-of-pocket costs per month for seniors.”
    “Insulin shouldn’t be expensive, and the fact that it is, prior to our engagement in this area, speaks to the outsized influence of Big Pharma in our politics.”
    “On his first day in office, President Trump signed a wave of executive orders, and one of these executive orders rolled back an initiative that would empower Medicare prescription drugs to offer generic drugs that treat chronic conditions for a flat $2 co-pay.”
    “Mr. Lawson, would capping the cost of medication at $2 help with seniors’ ability to afford other essentials like groceries?”
    AL: “Absolutely. There’s no doubt at all on that.”
    SRW: “How do high prescription drug costs affect seniors also dealing with inflation?”
    AL: “When a senior [is] forced to try to go get groceries and they can’t afford those groceries on the $1900 average Social Security cost per month, if their drug prices are going up month after month, 13 percent, they’re going be less able to afford those groceries. And we know that this price cap works because there is now a $2000 price cap on prescription drugs in the same bill that put in negotiation and the freedom that gives seniors the anxiety of ‘will I be able to afford my next bag of groceries’ is enormous.”
    SRW: “Absolutely.”
    “The Affordable Care Act established a premium tax credit to help everyday Americans afford their healthcare costs. Several years ago, Democrats in Congress passed legislation increasing the value of the premium tax credits to help families better afford health care while dealing with inflation. But if Congress fails to extend these tax credits before the end of the year, a 60-year-old couple in Georgia with a household income of say $80,000 will see their annual premium go up by $16,798.”
    “Mr. Lawson, how would extending the enhanced PTC support the fiscal sanity of seniors?”
    AL: “It would be fiscal insanity not to extend it and think that it’ll do anything other than drive millions of older Americans into poverty because you can’t just increase a bill $16,000 and expect that money to just come from nowhere.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Reverend Warnock Reminds Georgians of Looming Deadline to Apply for FEMA Assistance for Hurricane Helene Recovery 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia

    Senator Reverend Warnock Reminds Georgians of Looming Deadline to Apply for FEMA Assistance for Hurricane Helene Recovery 

    Deadline is February 7, 2025 for Georgians to apply for federal relief in the counties designated for Individual Assistance
    To date, FEMA has provided $290,000,000 in individual and household assistance to Georgians impacted by Hurricane Helene
    Senator Reverend Warnock: “As state and federal partners continue to process and administer federal funding to help local communities, I will remain vigilant in ensuring Georgians impacted by these devastating storms get the full assistance they are owed”

    Senator Warnock distributing bottled water to the Augusta community following Hurricane Helene in 2024
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) is reminding Georgians impacted by Tropical Storm Debby (August 4—20. 2024) and Hurricane Helene (September 24—October 30, 2024) in the counties designated for Individual Assistance that they have until February 7, 2025 to apply for FEMA assistance. To date, FEMA has provided $290,000,000 in individual and household assistance to Georgians impacted by Hurricane Helene.
    “I continue to pray for and work on behalf of all Georgians impacted by Hurricane Helene. I am proud we were able to pass major federal disaster relief for Georgia families and farmers recovering and I have been on the ground across the state helping to connect local communities to federal resources,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “As state and federal partners continue to process and administer federal funding to help local communities, I will remain vigilant in ensuring Georgians impacted by these devastating storms get the full assistance they are owed.”
    The application period for federal disaster assistance ends on Friday, February 7, 2025. Counties approved for assistance for Hurricane Helene are: Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Bryan, Bulloch, Burke, Butts, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Columbia, Cook, Dodge, Echols, Effingham, Elbert, Emanuel, Evans, Fulton, Glascock, Glynn, Hancock, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Lanier, Laurens, Liberty, Lincoln, Long, Lowndes, McDuffie, McIntosh, Montgomery, Newton, Pierce, Rabun, Richmond, Screven, Stephens, Taliaferro, Tattnall, Telfair, Thomas, Tift, Toombs, Treutlen, Ware, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Wheeler and Wilkes.
    Counties approved for assistance for Tropical Storm Debby are: Bryan, Bulloch, Chatham, Effingham, Evans, Liberty, Long and Screven.
    If a Georgian has storm-related expenses and lives or owns a business in one of the listed counties, they are encouraged to apply for disaster assistance. FEMA assistance can provide grants, and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) may offer loans for temporary housing, home repairs and other disaster-related needs. For more information or to apply online with SBA, visit sba.gov/disaster. Additional information is also available by calling the Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or via email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
    Georgians can apply for FEMA assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov. Georgians can also apply using the FEMA App for mobile devices or calling toll-free 800-621-3362. The telephone line is open every day and help is available in most languages. Survivors can also contact the Georgia Call Center Monday through Saturday at 678-547-2861 for assistance with their application.
    To apply in person, visit a Disaster Recovery Center, where FEMA and SBA specialists can help you apply for assistance, upload documents, answer questions and provide information on available resources. Georgians may visit any open Disaster Recovery Center. For locations and hours, go online to fema.gov/drc. All centers are accessible to people with disabilities or access and functional needs and are equipped with assistive technology.
    For the latest information about Georgia’s recovery, visit fema.gov/helene/georgia and fema.gov/disaster/4821. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Calvert Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Support the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program

    US Senate News:

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

    Padilla, Calvert Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Support the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Representative Ken Calvert (R-Calif.-41) introduced bipartisan legislation to support Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program (LCR MSCP) activities.
    The bill would increase the funding available for species conservation by creating an interest-bearing account at the Department of the Treasury for funds that the Colorado River Lower Basin states and the federal government contribute to the LCR MSCP. Currently, the Bureau of Reclamation holds the funding that states, including California, Arizona, and Nevada, contribute in an account that does not collect interest.
    The legislation advanced out of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources by voice vote last Congress. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) are cosponsoring the legislation.
    “The Lower Colorado River Multispecies Conservation Program is critical to balancing our water needs and hydropower production with the conservation of native species in the Lower Colorado River,” said Senator Padilla. “As ongoing drought threatens the Colorado River’s water resources and increases project costs, allowing the program’s account to accrue interest is a simple, bipartisan solution to ensure that California’s contributions to this program go even further.”
    “Providing additional resources for the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program at no cost to taxpayers will support one of our most important natural resources in the Southwest,” said Representative Calvert. “This bipartisan bill is a common-sense step that allows excess funds in the LCR MSCP to earn interest and maintain their effectiveness.”
    “The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is proud to participate in the Lower Colorado River Multispecies Conservation Program (LCR MSCP), an incredibly successful collaboration between the federal government, states, and other stakeholders to create habitat for 28 native species,” said Deven Upadhyay, the Interim General Manager of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. “This bill will enable the funds provided by the States for LCR MSCP projects to be held in an interest-bearing account. The interest collected on this non-federal funding will be reinvested in MSCP projects. Metropolitan appreciates Representative Calvert and Senator Padilla for introducing this bi-partisan legislation and looks forward to its passage.”
    “The Multi-Species Conservation Program has improved degraded river habitat conditions to create a more resilient Lower Colorado River—a vital part of the ecosystem and essential for birds, other wildlife, and the people that depend upon it,” said Jennifer Pitt, National Audubon Society’s Colorado River Program Director. “Allowing for smarter investment of the program’s funding will allow Colorado River partners to better protect water and habitat for threatened and endangered species and prevent new species from needing to be listed. We thank the bill sponsors for moving quickly to introduce this bill to generate additional funding for the MSCP into the future.”
    The Lower Colorado River provides critical water and power supplies across the Southwest. The LCR MSCP was authorized by Congress in 2009 and is supported by agencies within the federal government, as well as state, tribal, and local water, power, and wildlife agencies. Within the geographic scope of the LCR MSCP from Lake Mead to the Mexican border, the program will establish over 8,000 acres of native riparian and aquatic habitat. It includes additional science-based research and management efforts focused on expanding knowledge of the local wildlife and the quality of the habitat restoration efforts. The program has already achieved success in stocking thousands of native fish and increasing numbers of breeding migratory birds within 5,000 acres of new riparian habitat.
    The LCR MSCP has a budget of $626 million for its 50-year term. The funding is shared among the program participants on the basis of 50 percent federal, 25 percent California, and 12.5 percent each from Arizona and Nevada. Through the LCR MSCP agreements, the Lower Basin states committed to make quarterly payments to cover the program costs based on the initial budget estimates established in 2005. For Fiscal Year 2024, the program budget calls for funding of $38.8 million, with the state participants paying $19.4 million.
    Over time, the pace of funding has exceeded work expenditures, and the Bureau of Reclamation has accumulated over $60 million in contributed funds for future costs. However, the accounts in which Reclamation holds the contributed funds do not earn interest or any investment return. Multiple funds established by congressional action in the U.S. Treasury are directed to be invested or to earn interest. This legislation simply allows the LCR MSCP to do the same.
    Full text of the bill is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Marshall Discusses Wichita, KS Plane Crash on Morning in America: It’s a tough day for Kansas

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. joined Morning in America on NewsNation to discuss the horrific collision of an American Airlines passenger plane from Wichita, Kansas with a military helicopter on Wednesday evening. Senator Marshall offered his deep condolences to the families of the victims and all those impacted. 
    Senator Marshall shared some of the major concerns and operational pitfalls that led to this horrific accident, and emphasized the need for a full investigation of what went wrong.
    You may click HERE or on the image above to watch Senator Marshall’s full interview.
    Highlights from Senator Marshall’s interview include:
    “It’s a tough day for Kansas. We lost 67 people – it just feels like a gut punch, and we’re just lifting those families up in prayer, trying to surround them with our love. We’re all mourning with them, and it’s a tough day.”
    “I think we’re just all in shock. At least half of these families are from Wichita…This is a flight I’ve taken multiple times, and it would be unusual for me to get on that plane and not recognize some of the people in there. But regardless… We’re humbled. We’re just praying for God’s grace on these, on all these families. They got a tough, tough day ahead of them. Just trust me, it’s a tough day.”
    On the operational errors: 
    “I appreciate President Trump’s transparency. I really, really do – that the American people deserve to be leveled with. You know, there was a couple huge concerns. Why are we letting military aircraft in this airspace? This is the busiest runway in America. Why are we letting them there in the first place? And then their transponders don’t communicate with commercial planes.”
    “If you’re going to be an airspace where there’s commercial airplanes – very busy, you need to have a transponder that works… This helicopter should have never been above 200 feet. The collision occurred at 350. So all the helicopters have a ceiling of 200 feet – why was he up there? Why was air traffic control not yelling and screaming at him – or her – as well? So I do think this should have never happened, and just is so sad.”
    “I think air traffic control could have helped prevent this situation as well, and we’re waiting for that full review. We know that sometimes they only have one person handling this. Usually they have one person handling just the helicopter, and if they had that one person focused on the helicopters, again, I think they’d have been yelling and screaming, ‘What are you doing above 200 feet?’”
    On the need for urgent reform within Air Traffic Control and the FAA: 
    “I think we need to revisit everything. And if they’re going to increase the flights, then we need to have more air traffic control.”
    “Last week, President Trump hired over 100 more of these air traffic controllers. So he’s trying to address this problem up front, you know, and he was trying to reverse this trend in less safety, within the air traffic control, and more within the FAA, I would say.”
    “I have empathy, and I appreciate President Trump’s upfront communication here. There’s no more helicopters allowed in this airspace at DCA as well right now. This is the first accident – it’s been 15 or 20 years – the first major accident as well…But regardless, my prayers today for the family and for addressing the situation, and hope it never happens again.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy backs bill to provide tax exemption for Louisianians, all Americans who protect homes ahead of disasters

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)

    WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today joined Sens. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and colleagues in reintroducing the Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act. The bill would exempt state rebates for Americans who harden their homes in preparation for natural disasters and floods from federal taxation.

    “Louisianians invest their hard-earned money in protecting their homes from hurricanes and flooding. When states provide a rebate for this disaster mitigation, it’s foolish and unfair to tax it,” said Kennedy.

    Louisiana is one of several states that incentivize citizens to fortify their homes against natural disasters by offering rebates for protection measures. Current law requires Louisianians to pay federal taxes on rebates that come from a source other than the federal government. The Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act would make sure Americans do not have to pay federal taxes on state-provided rebates.

    “This commonsense legislation takes a critical step toward empowering individuals and communities to better protect themselves from the devastating effects of natural disasters like Hurricane Helene. By excluding qualified catastrophe mitigation payments from income tax, we are incentivizing property owners to make the necessary improvements that reduce damage and save lives. This proactive approach to disaster preparedness not only helps families rebuild faster but strengthens our resilience in the face of future disasters,” said Tillis.

    “The devastating fires in Southern California underscored the urgent need to empower homeowners to take proactive steps to keep their families and homes safe. As these disasters become more frequent and more extreme due to the climate crisis, we should incentivize—not penalize—taxpayers for protecting their homes. That’s why the Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act would provide a tax exemption on payments from state-based programs for homeowner investments in critical disaster-related improvements,” said Padilla.

    The full bill text is available here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy introduces resolution to block Biden climate activism scheme

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)
    WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today introduced a joint resolution under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to overturn the Biden administration’s final guidance on voluntary carbon credits.
    The Biden-era Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) final guidance would legitimize and pave the way for regulating the voluntary trade of carbon credits, also known as carbon offsets. Voluntary carbon credit schemes function by allowing companies to “offset” their own carbon dioxide emissions by funding purportedly “green” projects elsewhere. The state of California and much of Europe have adopted controversial laws that force certain companies to cut emissions, many of which opt to buy voluntary carbon credits.
    “The American people rejected Pres. Biden’s radical green agenda, but the last administration’s bureaucratic schemes could still force California- and European-style climate craziness on the rest of the country. Congress should join me in voting to stop radical policies that put unrealistic expectations on American businesses,” said Kennedy.
    The CRA allows Congress to overturn certain federal agency regulations and actions through a joint resolution of disapproval. If both houses of Congress approve such a joint resolution and the president signs it, or if Congress successfully overrides a presidential veto, the final guidance at issue becomes invalid.
    Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) cosponsored the resolution.
    Text of the resolution is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Risch, Barrasso Bill Supports Ranchers and Livestock Grazing Across the West

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho James E Risch

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) introduced the Resiliency for Ranching and Natural Conservation Health (RANCH) Act. This legislation promotes resilient and healthy rangelands and effective grazing management across the West.

    “As a rancher, I have seen firsthand the immense benefits grazing brings to Idaho’s public lands and our agricultural economy,” said Senator Risch. “The RANCH Act ensures grazing management decisions properly benefit ranchers and rural communities to maintain Idaho’s way of life.”

    “Livestock grazing plays a critical role for Wyoming’s ranchers to maintain rangeland health and protect their livelihoods,” said Senator Barrasso. “All across America, we depend on our hardworking ranchers. The RANCH Act gives them the support they need to work through natural disasters and efficiently navigate permits and grazing rights. Our bill promotes robust rangeland for livestock, creates habitats for wildlife, and makes life easier for Wyoming’s ranching communities.”

    Cosponsors of this legislation include U.S. Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.).

    The RANCH Act will:

    • Allow temporary utilization of vacant grazing allotments during extreme events/disasters;

    • Allocate funding for rangeland health and resiliency projects and public access agreements to land-locked public lands for co-benefits to hunting and recreation;

    • Extend the period of grazing permits/leases for up to 20-years, when certain conditions are met; and

    • Provide responsive and nimble management through the use of a categorical exclusion for renewal of certain grazing permits/leases and for certain actions during extreme events/disasters.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville Releases Statement Following Pentagon’s Reversal of Illegal and Immoral Abortion Travel Policy

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) released the following statement regarding the Pentagon’s reversal of its illegal and immoral taxpayer-funded abortion travel policy:

    “For the past two years, I have been sounding the alarm about the Pentagon’s illegal and immoral practice of using taxpayer dollars to fund abortions. I took a lot of heat when I stood alone for nearly a year in holding senior Pentagon promotions over this—but as of today, it was all worth it. The Biden administration treated taxpayers like their own personal Piggy bank that they could use to bankroll their woke agenda. President Trump and Secretary Hegseth affirmed today what I’ve been fighting for since I got to Washington: zero taxpayer dollars should go towards abortions. Under President Trump and Secretary Hegseth’s leadership, the Pentagon will once again be focused on lethality, not pushing a political agenda. Thank God common sense has been restored to our military under President Trump’s leadership.”

    BACKGROUND:

    For 11 months in 2023, Senator Tuberville imposed a blanket hold on senior military promotions over the Biden administration’s illegal taxpayer-funded abortion related travel policy. Following threats from Senator Schumer in December 2023 to change Senate rules, Sen. Tuberville narrowed the holds to 4-star generals, releasing the other nominees for promotion. Senator Tuberville vowed to continue fighting against the policy and to always defend taxpayers and the unborn.

    MORE:

    Tuberville: I will never stop fighting to defend taxpayers and the unborn

    What They Are Saying: Conservative Leaders Thank Tuberville

    Pentagon Continues to Stonewall Truth about Illegal Taxpayer-Funded Abortion-Related Travel Policy

    Tuberville Forces Floor Vote on Military Nominations

    Tuberville Again Defends Life and the Constitution

    Tuberville Speaks with Secretary of Defense, Reiterates Hold on Nominations

    Tuberville Blasts DoD’s Extreme New Abortion Policy, Holds Nominees on the Senate Floor

    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: Q&A: President’s Cabinet

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley

    Q: Why does the nation’s chief executive have a team of advisors known as the President’s Cabinet?

    A: During the Constitutional Convention in 1787, delegates hashed out how to organize the executive branch and whether the president would act independently or collaborate with a council of ministers. One proposal suggested a council comprised of the Speaker of the House, the President of the Senate and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Ultimately, the delegates vested theexecutive power in a single person: the President of the United States. However, they also included constitutional guardrails unique to our system of checks and balances, granting the power of “advise and consent” to the Senate on appointments and treaties. So, while the president’s “Cabinet” is not spelled out in the Constitution, Article II, Section 2, clause 1 authorizes the president “may require the Opinion … of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Officers.” In other words, the president has the power to surround himself with a team of people to carry out the laws of the land.

    President George Washington created the first Cabinet and nominated four individuals for Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary of State, Secretary of War and Attorney General. Washington met regularly with his Cabinet to discuss core functions of the new federal government: money supply, diplomacy, defense, enforcement of laws and administration of justice. His successors followed this precedent to surround themselves with trusted advisors to “take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed.” The Cabinet has expanded over the years, most recently with creation of the Department of Homeland Security post-9/11. Today, the Cabinet includes the Vice President and heads of 15 executive departments, including the U.S. Attorney General; Secretaries of Agriculture; Commerce; Defense; Education; Energy; Health and Human Services; Homeland Security; Housing and Urban Development; Interior; Labor; State; Treasury; Transportation; and, Veterans Affairs. Also serving in Cabinet-level positions are the Administrators of the Environmental Protection Agency and Small Business Administration; Directors of the Central Intelligence Agency; National Intelligence; and, Office of Management and Budget; U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations; and the U.S. Trade Representative. Since the 113th Congress, Cabinet nominees are confirmed by a simple majority in the U.S. Senate. If approved, nominees are sworn in before beginning their duties.

    Q: What is the Senate’s role in the confirmation process?

    A: The Constitution gives the president and the Senate shared authority to make appointments to high-level positions in the federal government, including the federal judiciary and the president’s Cabinet. History shows the Senate extends deference to presidents selecting advisors to help them carry out the operations of the executive branch of government. In the 19th century, the Senate revised its rules to require the referral of nominations to the appropriate committees. A century later, Senate committees held public hearings and questioned nominees in person. As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee in the 119th Congress, I’ve led confirmation hearings for President Trump’s nominees to serve as the Attorney General and the Director of the FBI. From my assignments on the Senate Agriculture, Finance and Budget Committees, I’ve participated in confirmation hearings for the Secretaries of Agriculture, Treasury, Health and Human Services and Director of the Office of Management and Budget. It’s my policy to wait until after these hearings conclude to make my final decision on the nomination. The Senate’s “advise and consent” authority is one tool to keep check on the executive branch and has factored into the rejection or withdrawl of Cabinet nominees for centuries. At the same time, the Senate has a compelling interest not to impede the continuity of government from one administration to the next. It’s critical to the functioning of government to have these high-level officials in place. For Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama, 84 percent of Cabinet secretaries nominated before Inauguration Day received quick Senate approval, an average of 2.4 days. After passing background checks, answering questions in writing, in private meetings and under the Senate microscope in public confirmation hearings and being referred favorably by the committees of jurisdiction, the president’s nominees deserve a timely vote in the U.S. Senate. The devastating collision on Jan. 29 over the Potomac River – the worst aviation crash in America in a quarter century – underscores the urgency to get the president’s team in place.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Grassley, Shaheen Seek to Prevent Youth Opioid Abuse

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley

    WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) today introduced the Keeping Drugs Out of Schools Act. The bipartisan bill would combat youth opioid abuse by enabling school partnerships with current or former Drug-Free Communities to educate students about the dangers of synthetic opioids. Reps. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) and Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

    “Stamping out drug abuse in our communities and schools demands an all-hands approach. One piece of the puzzle is supporting drug prevention programs that educate young people about synthetic opioids and preventable resources,” Grassley said. “I’m glad to support this vital and fiscally responsible bill to protect our next generation from the dangers of addiction.” 

    “Our bipartisan bill will help save lives by educating students and young people across the country about the dangers of synthetic opioids,” Shaheen said. “We’ve made progress in recent years to stem the substance use epidemic, but there’s more we can and should do to ensure kids know just how deadly opioids can be. Our bipartisan Keeping Drugs Out of Schools Act would help do just that.”  

    Find bill text HERE.

    Background:

    The Keeping Drugs out of Schools Act establishes a five-year grant program that would allow elementary, middle and high schools to apply for up to $75,000 in federal funding to plan, implement and evaluate effective drug prevention initiatives. Eligible schools could renew their grant eligibility for up to three more years. 

    Grassley helped create the Drug-Free Communities program in 1998, after establishing Iowa’s “Face It Together,” or FIT – a first-of-its-kind, statewide anti-drug effort. Today, the Drug-Free Communities program serves 751 communities across the nation and supports 6.1 million middle and high school students. 

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hickenlooper, Bennet, Boebert Re-introduce Bipartisan Bill to Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Colorado John Hickenlooper
    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet reintroduced the Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit (AVC) Act to lower costs and complete the AVC, a water project that will deliver clean, reliable water to Southeast Colorado communities. Representative Lauren Boebert introduced bipartisan companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
    “50,000 Coloradans are depending on us to deliver safe, clean drinking water for the Arkansas River Valley,” said Hickenlooper. “With construction well underway, we can’t slow down now.”
    “This bill will ensure the federal government makes good on its promise to Southeastern Coloradans to deliver a safe and reliable water supply,” said Bennet. “We have invested over $550 million to build the Arkansas Valley Conduit over the past decade and now we must ensure increased costs don’t stop this project in its tracks.”
    “Southeastern Coloradans need access to a clean, sustainable water supply that every family can depend on, which is what the Finish The AVC Act will deliver,” said Boebert. “I’m proud to introduce this legislation with our Senators to help our rural communities in Colorado see this critical project through to completion.”
    The Finish the AVC Act would remove interest payments on all non-federal cost share funds and extend the repayment period from 50 to 100 years. This bill helps make sure that underserved communities of Southeastern Colorado can access clean drinking water and repay the federal government. The estimated cost of the project more than doubled from the 2019 estimate of $640 million to $1.3 billion due to increased inflation and labor costs.
    The Arkansas Valley Conduit is the final component of the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project, a water diversion and storage project in the lower Arkansas Valley, which Congress approved in 1962. Once constructed, the Conduit will deliver clean drinking water from the Pueblo Reservoir to more than 50,000 families, producers and municipalities throughout 39 communities in the Arkansas River Valley. Currently, these Southeast communities rely entirely on groundwater, with several facing water contamination from naturally-occurring radioactive elements.
    “In Colorado, we are committed to ensuring that everyone has access to clean, reliable drinking water,” said Governor Polis. “I applaud the hard work of members of Colorado’s congressional delegation to deliver on the promise of the Arkansas Valley Conduit and secure this much-needed water supply for southeastern Colorado.”
    “Building the Arkansas Valley Conduit and making it financially feasible for the water providers and people of southeastern Colorado has been a top priority of our delegation for many years,” said Bill Long, President, Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District. “Reintroduction of legislation to make the cost-sharing requirements achievable in this economically stressed part of  Colorado is just another example of that. It is our hope that the Senate and the House will begin moving this legislation promptly as we work with our state and federal partners to build the conduit as expeditiously as possible, with the robust infrastructure funding provided to us thus far because of the delegation’s support.”
    Hickenlooper and Bennet have long advocated for increased federal funding for the AVC. Both senators helped deliver $500 million in funding for the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for the AVC, including $250 million earlier this month, $90 million earlier this year, $100 million in 2023 and $60 million in 2022. Following Hickenlooper and Bennet’s call to the Senate Appropriations Committee Leadership this April to increase funds for the project, the Committee included $13 million for the AVC in their fiscal year 2025 Energy and Water bill.
    The full text of the bill is available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin, Grassley Urge PhRMA To Embrace Their Bill To End Price Secrecy In Prescription Drug Advertisements

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
    January 31, 2025
    CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, today sent a letter to the President and CEO of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) urging them to embrace their bipartisan legislation, the Drug-price Transparency for Consumers (DTC) Act, to empower patients and providers and commit to voluntarily disclosing list prices in DTC advertisements. 
    The Senators wrote, “The United States is one of only two developed countries in the world that permits such pharmaceutical commercials. President Trump’s nominee for Health and Human Services Secretary has expressed interest in outright banning this practice. It would be wise for drug companies to adopt commonsense solutions to address the concerns that have been raised about DTC prescription drug advertising. As you are aware, the United States Senate previously voted unanimously to pass our measure to require that pharmaceutical companies disclose their list prices in DTC ads, and it is our hope that this policy will become law this Congress. This bipartisan legislation would ensure that when patients are bombarded with information about the newest wonder drug, the price is not kept secret. President Trump previously has issued regulations to advance this policy.”
    Drug manufacturers in the United States spend approximately $6 billion annually in direct-to-consumer (DTC) prescription drug advertisements, with approximately one-third of all commercial time across evening news programs being consumed with these pharmaceutical promotions. A recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that more than two-thirds of drugs advertised on television were considered “low therapeutic value”. This creates concern for taxpayers, as a review we requested from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found prescription drugs advertised on television accounted for 58 percent of Medicare’s overall spending on prescription drugs between 2016-2018. In 2022, the two most-advertised drugs on television alone accounted for $1.7 billion in Medicare spending.
    “There is a lot of value in knowing a prescription drug’s list price, the most accessible and standardized price of a drug, which is set by the manufacturer itself. This is especially important for consumers with high-deductible health insurance plans, those who are underinsured, or have no health insurance coverage at all,” the Senators continued.
    Recently, the Senators reintroduced the DTC Act to bring price transparency to DTC prescription drug ads. In addition to President Trump’s previous support, the bill in the 118th Congress was cosponsored by Vice President Vance. Given PhRMA’s stated support for pharmacy benefit manager transparency, the Senators argue it is only reasonable to have transparency across the pharmaceutical supply chain.
    The Senators conclude, “We urge you to take the reasonable, minimal step of embracing our bipartisan legislation to empower patients and providers and commit to voluntarily disclosing list prices in DTC advertisements.”
    Full text of the letter is available here and below:
    January 31, 2025
    Dear Mr. Ubl:
    Drug manufacturers in the United States spend approximately $6 billion annually in direct-to-consumer (DTC) prescription drug advertisements, with approximately one-third of all commercial time across evening news programs being consumed with these pharmaceutical promotions.  It is a similar story when consumers stream their favorite show or scroll through social media.  Yet consumers learn nothing from these advertisements about the cost of the prescription drug.  This must change. 
    A recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that more than two-thirds of drugs advertised on television were considered “low therapeutic value”.  This creates concern for taxpayers, as a review we requested from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found prescription drugs advertised on television accounted for 58 percent of Medicare’s overall spending on prescription drugs between 2016-2018.  In 2022, the two most-advertised drugs on television alone accounted for $1.7 billion in Medicare spending.
    The United States is one of only two developed countries in the world that permits such pharmaceutical commercials.  President Trump’s nominee for Health and Human Services Secretary has expressed interest in outright banning this practice.  It would be wise for drug companies to adopt commonsense solutions to address the concerns that have been raised about DTC prescription drug advertising. 
    As you are aware, the United States Senate previously voted unanimously to pass our measure to require that pharmaceutical companies disclose their list prices in DTC ads, and it is our hope that this policy will become law this Congress.  This bipartisan legislation would ensure that when patients are bombarded with information about the newest wonder drug, the price is not kept secret.  President Trump previously has issued regulations to advance this policy.
    There is a lot of value in knowing a prescription drug’s list price, the most accessible and standardized price of a drug, which is set by the manufacturer itself.  This is especially important for consumers with high-deductible health insurance plans, those who are underinsured, or have no health insurance coverage at all—particularly as efforts are underway to reform the rebate structure used by pharmacy benefit managers.
    Some of your member companies previously disclosed drug list prices in advertisements, and PhRMA previously has wanted to be more transparent with the American public about price information for advertised medications.  We appreciate that 35 drug manufacturers voluntarily have certified to follow PhRMA’s “Guiding Principles on Direct-to-Consumer Advertisements,” which includes directing patients to find information about the cost of medicine, including the list price, on the company’s website.  We are glad that drug companies agree that consumers should know the price of a prescription drug before purchasing it.  But in instances where manufacturers currently do opt to provide pricing information (e.g., “pay as little as $0 per dose”), they can understate or obscure a patient’s out-of-pocket liability.
    Studies show that patients are better able to approximate their out-of-pocket expenses when provided with the list price.  When voluntarily choosing to promote medications over the airwaves, manufacturers already are required to disclose safety, side effects, and contraindication information.  Yet, for many patients, price plays a primary role in clinical adherence. 
    Recently, we reintroduced our bipartisan legislation (S.229) to bring price transparency to DTC prescription drug ads.  In addition to President Trump’s previous support, our bill in the 118th Congress was cosponsored by Vice President Vance.  Given PhRMA’s stated support for pharmacy benefit manager transparency, it is only reasonable to have transparency across the pharmaceutical supply chain.
    We urge you to take the reasonable, minimal step of embracing our bipartisan legislation to empower patients and providers and commit to voluntarily disclosing list prices in DTC advertisements.  Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
    Sincerely,
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Reintroduces, Adds Cosponsors to Withstanding Extreme Agricultural Threats by Harvesting Economic Resilience (WEATHER) Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
    Legislation creates new insurance program for farmers to protect against extreme weather
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) recently led Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.),and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) in reintroducing theWithstanding Extreme Agricultural Threats by Harvesting Economic Resilience (WEATHER) Act, legislation that calls for the development of an index-based insurance policy that is more responsive to crop and income losses faced by farmers as a result of extreme weather. This would be especially beneficial to farmers in Vermont following floods in July 2023 and July 2024, which impacted nearly 31,000 acres of farmland across the state and resulted in at least $50 million in agricultural losses and damages 
    “As we saw during brutal back-to-back floods in Vermont, the consequences of extreme weather events are devastating, and they can vary from farm to farm. It’s crucial that crop insurance meets the needs of our farmers and gets support back to those who need it, quickly,” said Senator Welch. “This commonsense bill works to ensure that all farmers are protected against economic strains caused by extreme weather and get the help they need to recover when a disaster hits. It’s important for Vermont’s family-owned small farms, and it’s important for farmers all across America.” 
    “The current federal crop insurance options are not workable for many of the small and diversified farms we have in Vermont. In the face of flooding and more unpredictable weather due to climate change, the federal government must step up to support farmers, food producers, and small businesses. The WEATHER Act is an important step in ensuring the Federal Crop Insurance Program can respond to the needs of farmers in Vermont and across the northeast,” said Senator Sanders. 
    “For years, I’ve sounded the alarm that uninsured farmers need aid to rebuild from floods and other extreme weather events, especially since these crops are their livelihood,” said Sen. Warren. “The WEATHER Act begins to solve this problem by reimbursing farmers automatically if an extreme weather event occurs, rather than the current system that imposes a large administrative burden on farmers, systematically disadvantaging family-run diversified farms.”   
    “A new normal of thousand-year storms every year has caused chaos for farmers across the country—ruining crops and destroying land—and in recent years, Connecticut farms have been devastated by extreme weather events, including severe flooding and unprecedented droughts. With this essential legislation, we work to improve our farm safety nets for producers in order to make sure they receive the support they need to weather the storm and keep their farms thriving,” said Senator Blumenthal. 
    “Farmers in Connecticut are increasingly dealing with more extreme weather, and we need to make sure they don’t face extra burdens when the next disaster strikes,” said Senator Murphy. “The WEATHER Act would simplify the recovery process by using weather data to trigger automatic insurance payouts, helping farmers get back on their feet quickly with less red tape.” 
    “More frequent floods and drought driven by climate change are threatening the livelihoods of our state’s farmers – from Western Maryland to the Eastern Shore. By modernizing federal crop insurance to account for these growing risks, this legislation will help Maryland’s small family farms get back up and running more quickly following natural disasters and improve the stability of our food supply,” said Senator Van Hollen. 
    “The WEATHER Act of 2025, introduced by Senators Welch, Sanders, and Warren is a thoughtfully and carefully crafted proposal that would direct the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation to collaboratively research and develop an index-based insurance policy designed to support farmers in withstanding agricultural income losses closely correlated with weather conditions—including severe weather or growing conditions applicable to small-scale farmers,” said David Howard, Policy Development Director for the National Young Farmers Coalition. “Young farmers across the country are dealing with the increasingly destructive impacts of the climate crisis on their farms every day. As farmers struggle to rebuild from and manage ongoing and future impacts, it is clear that we need more tools in our agricultural climate risk policy toolbox. Young Farmers endorses the WEATHER Act of 2025, recognizing how this proposal can complement existing resources and strengthen support for young farmers in persevering through these impacts.” 
    Unpredictable weather events exacerbate risks associated with farming, necessitating responsive crop insurance policies. However, producers often opt out of crop insurance due to administrative burdens, high premiums, and low payouts. The WEATHER Act works to better support farmers facing income losses after extreme weather events by reducing administrative hurdles and ensuring that insurance payouts are based on agricultural income losses. The legislation would direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to use its insurance research and development authority to research the possibility of developing an index-based insurance program that: 
    Creates a multi-peril index insurance product for farmers based on weather indices correlated to agricultural income losses using data from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), satellites, climate models, and other data sources. 
    Pays out within 30 days in the event of indices exceeding any of the pre-determined county-level thresholds for the following events: High winds, excessive moisture and flooding, extreme heat, abnormal freeze conditions, hail, wildfires, drought, and other perils the Secretary determines appropriate. 
    Learn more about the WEATHER Act. 
    Read the full text of the bill. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Coons decries President Trump’s freeze on almost all foreign assistance in speech on Senate floor

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Appropriations and Foreign Relations Committees, condemned President Donald Trump’s executive order (EO) to pause almost all U.S. foreign assistance in a speech on the Senate floor yesterday, calling it unconstitutional and harmful to U.S. security and values.

    Last week, following the Trump EO, the State Department issued a “stop-work” order that halted all current foreign assistance and paused new projects, with narrow exceptions. This abrupt action created widespread confusion, further complicated by the White House budget office’s decision to send and then rescind a separate memo that had ordered a freeze on all federal grant spending. The actions have left essential aid programs and global partnerships in a state of uncertainty, weakening the United States’ standing around the world.

    In his remarks, Senator Coons emphasized that foreign assistance is not charity, but an investment that strengthens our security and economy. The Trump EO by contrast, harms our allies and friends, and benefits adversaries like China. It has halted payments to contractors rebuilding Ukraine’s electrical infrastructure in the wake of Russian attacks and frozen support that is critical to ensuring Taiwan’s defense. This pause has halted vital pandemic surveillance work that keeps us safe from lethal diseases and rapidly emerging pandemics, at a time when we are seeing new outbreaks of highly transmissible diseases like Ebola in Uganda and Marburg in Tanzania. The pause has impacted critical global health funding, including PEPFAR, which provides HIV treatment for more than 20 million people living with HIV globally. U.S. institutions that monitor global elections like the National Democratic Institute and International Republic Institute are also frozen in the run-up to elections in nations like Moldova and Romania that are expected to be targets of Russian interference. This reckless step harms U.S. credibility and economic stability and creates long-term consequences that weaken our allies and empower our adversaries.

    Senator Coons also underscored that while foreign assistance accounts for less than 1 percent of the federal budget, its strategic significance is crucial.

    A video and partial transcript of Senator Coons’ comments are available below.

    WATCH HERE.

    Senator Coons: Mr. President, I’m speaking today in strong opposition to President Trump’s illegal executive order of last Friday night that pauses all of our foreign assistance and development assistance. Let’s be clear: our development assistance, our foreign aid, isn’t about charity. It’s about security, and it’s about values. We have alliances and partnerships around the world that are undergirded by our soft power – by our partnerships and investment in helping make our world safer, more stable, and more secure. What happened last Friday night, at the end of the workday and there was no one there to answer urgent questions – was a freeze on all foreign assistance, with a very narrow exception for food aid, and it has caused chaos in the global community that delivers aid and assistance around the world. 

    For days, there were questions unanswered. What did this mean in Ukraine, in Lebanon, where there are wars and ceasefires, where critical grant funding and work by contractors helps put the lights back on after Russian attacks on the electrical infrastructure in Ukraine, where ceasefire implementation in Lebanon was ongoing. In parts of the world where we were continuing to bring home to the United States those who served alongside us in Afghanistan, Afghan SIVs waiting for processing, abandoned in Qatar and here in the United States. 

    A halt on drug supplies that helped keep 20 million people living with HIV through the program PEPFAR, long supported by presidents and Congresses of both parties. A freeze on activity to counter fentanyl and narcotics trafficking, to push back on Chinese and Russian disinformation, and to promote democracy. With urgent upcoming elections, the International Republican Institute and the National Democratic Institute are frozen in their activities and forced to lay off or furlough their workforce. Let me thank Secretary Rubio for responding to urgent calls to broaden the aperture for humanitarian waivers for this freeze, but let me also say that with dozens and dozens of the most senior people at USAID put on furlough, implementing this got harder, and with thousands of contractors who work for USAID in countries around the world dismissed or laid off, the consequences will be severe. 

    I’ll just give you one example. I suspect everyone listening has heard of the disease Ebola. I suspect not everyone has heard of the disease Marburg. They are related. They’re highly transmissive and deadly viruses. There is a new outbreak of Ebola in the capital of Uganda. There’s an ongoing outbreak of Marburg in the neighboring country of Tanzania. This freeze pauses the pandemic surveillance work, the urgent public health work, the assistance we provide that makes sure that we are safe from a rapidly emerging and lethal global pandemic that we put in place after the last pandemic. 

    When we halt foreign assistance, it has consequences. It’s just one percent of our total budget. Most Americans think it’s a big percent of our spending, but it’s one percent, actually, less than one percent of the total federal budget. And there’s a winner here, and it’s not the American taxpayer. Freezing programs like this causes chaos and often costs more to restart them after a review. The winner is China. Our biggest global competitor and adversary is delighted that we’ve handed them an opportunity to say to communities and countries around the world that we are not a reliable partner – that despite contracts and promises, commitments, and programs, they now have months to crow about how we have abandoned our partnerships with county after country around the world. China is delighted when we layoff, or furlough, or cut the resources that help fuel the work of our diplomats and our development professionals. And China has seen its opportunity to expand its influence through programs like the Belt and Road Initiative. They’ve spent a trillion dollars on projects across the Global South in the last decade, and our ability to counter Chinese influence, to make strategic investments, has been put gravely at risk by putting on hold the workforce and the contracts that help deliver them. 

    The administration may be claiming that this pause is temporary, but its effects will not be. The lasting impacts on small businesses, on contractors, on NGOs and loss of expertise, loss of their workforce, loss of their credibility I think will be lasting, dangerous, and harmful.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Luján Named Ranking Member of Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition and Specialty Crops

    US Senate News:

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

    Subcommittee Oversees Key New Mexico Priorities Including Food Assistance Programs, Specialty Crop Produces, and Healthy Food Initiatives

    Washington, D.C. – This week, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) was named Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry’s Subcommittee on Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics, and Research for the 119th Congress. Senator Luján will serve alongside Subcommittee Chairman U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).

    “Across New Mexico and the nation, federal nutrition assistance programs help feed our families and children, while our specialty crop growers put high-quality, nutritious produce for our tables,” said Senator Luján. “I am honored to have been selected to lead the Subcommittee on Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics and Research, where I will work to boost programs to help families afford healthy food, secure resources for our specialty crop and organic producers, and ensure strong investment and support for our agricultural research institutions. I look forward to working in a bipartisan manner to secure New Mexico priorities on this key subcommittee.”

    “As Ranking Member, I will work to support and provide resources for our specialty crop growers in New Mexico who feed our nation and the world and support our trademark crops from pecans to chile. No one should face the threat of hunger, and I will work tirelessly to make certain that families are able to put high-quality, nutritious food on the table, no matter where you live. New Mexico also boasts a wealth of agriculture research institutions, ranging from New Mexico State University to our climate hub and agriculture research stations,” continued Senator Luján. “Supporting strong research investment will be a priority for me on this subcommittee as we look to ensure that our agriculture community has the tools they need to face challenges ranging from pests to climate change and be competitive at the global level.”

    Background on Senator Luján’s work on supporting food assistance programs and specialty crop growers:

    Senator Luján has long fought to protect and improve federal nutrition assistance programs, leading legislation to protect local grocers from transaction fees that would make it harder for them to accept SNAP benefits, introducing legislation that would support merit staff and protect the integrity and efficiency of SNAP, and fighting to protect access to SNAP benefits in the Farm Bill. Through Senator Luján’s work on the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, he has fought to secure provisions in the Farm Bill that would invest in agriculture research and boost resources for New Mexico’s specialty crop and organic producers.

    Background on the Subcommittee on Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics, and Research:

    The Subcommittee on Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics, and Research oversees programs regarding food and nutrition assistance, school meals, non-program crops, organic production, and research. The subcommittee oversees agencies within the Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services; Research, Education and Economics; and Marketing and Regulatory Programs mission areas at USDA. In addition to agencies, this subcommittee oversees the Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch to Serve as Ranking Member of Rural Development and Energy Subcommittee on Agriculture; Constitution Subcommittee on Judiciary

    US Senate News:

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

    Welch well-placed to bring vital resources to rural communities, enforce and protect constitutional rights and liberties
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today announced that in the 119th Congress, he will serve as Ranking Member on the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, as well as the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution. Serving as Ranking Member on these subcommittees position the Senator to continue his work addressing issues that matter to Vermonters—including supporting rural development programs and bolstering buildout of renewable energy and rural broadband, in addition to protecting constitutional rights and civil liberties. 
    “I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve as Ranking Member on these subcommittees to elevate the voices of Vermonters, support our rural communities, and safeguard our most important freedoms.  
    “I will focus my work on the Rural Development Subcommittee on strengthening rural America’s economy, supporting our farmers, and cutting costs for families. That includes securing wins for Vermonters in the upcoming Farm Bill and fighting to restore the Affordable Connectivity Program, which is a vital lifeline that helps millions of people access and afford high-speed internet. All of us, whether from red or blue states, should agree that lowering costs and protecting our freedoms is a top priority.   
    “At a time when Americans’ basic rights are under attack, I’m also committed to fighting against every attempt to undermine our constitutional protections. As Ranking Member of the Constitution Subcommittee, I’ll fight to preserve the most important pillars of our democracy and lead efforts to protect civil rights and give the American people a more active voice in our democracy. I’ll also push back against executive overreach and any action the Trump Administration takes to undermine the separation of powers, which is vital to preserving our system of checks and balances. 
    “I look forward to working across the aisle and working to achieve bipartisan results with Subcommittee Chairs Ernst and Schmitt to deliver results for Vermonters.” 
    As Ranking Member of the Rural Development, Energy, and Credit Subcommittee, Senator Welch will play a key role in the preparation of the 2025 Farm Bill, working to deliver for Vermont families and uplift rural communities. The Rural Development Subcommittee also oversees many of the programs in USDA’s Rural Development mission area, including renewable energy, economic development, and housing, pressing issues for many Vermont communities. In his capacity as Ranking Member of the Constitution Subcommittee, Senator Welch will be a leading voice in and pushing back against attempts to undermine vital civil rights protections and enforcing separation of powers.  
    Senator Welch’s Committee and Subcommittee Assignments for the 119th Congress include: 

    Jurisdiction: Oversight of USDA’s Rural Development mission, including facilities, utilities, loans; Building out rural broadband; Advancing rural America’s access to affordable renewable energy. 

    Jurisdiction: Constitutional Amendments; Oversight of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice; Enforcement and Protection of Constitutional Rights; Statutory Guarantees of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties; Separation of Powers; Federal-State Relations; and Interstate Compacts. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ricketts Announces Subcommittee Assignments for the 119th Congress

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Pete Ricketts (Nebraska)

    January 31, 2025

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) announced his subcommittee assignments for the 119th Congress.

    “President Trump’s re-election provides a historic opportunity to get our country back on track,” said Ricketts. “On these subcommittees, I’ll work to unleash American energy, extend the Trump tax cuts, and restore American strength on the world stage.”

    Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee

    • Member, Subcommittee on Economic Policy
    • Member, Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Protection
    • Member, Subcommittee on National Security and International Trade and Finance

    Environment and Public Works Committee

    • Chairman, Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Water
    • Member, Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure
    • Member, Subcommittee on Clean Air, Climate, and Nuclear Innovation and Safety

    Foreign Affairs Committee

    • Chairman, Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific and International Cybersecurity Policy
    • Member, Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation
    • Member, Subcommittee on State Department and USAID Management, International Operations and Bilateral International Development

    BACKGROUND

    U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs is responsible for matters related to banks and banking, price controls, deposit insurance, foreign trade promotion, export promotion and controls, and federal monetary policy. It has jurisdiction over financial exchanges, markets, and derivates, financial aid to commerce and industry, issuance of redemption of notes, and currency and coinage issues. Additionally, the Committee is responsible for public and private housing, urban development, mass transit, and government contracts. This includes oversight of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Export-Import Bank, and the Federal Housing Administration.

    U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works is responsible for legislation and oversight of the natural and built environment and for studying matters concerning environmental protection and resource conservation and utilization. This includes oversight of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

    U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations is instrumental in developing, influencing, and overseeing U.S. foreign policy. The Committee considers, debates, and reports important treaties and legislation involving everything from foreign aid to arms sales to international organizations like the United Nations. It overseas the U.S. State Department and holds jurisdiction over all diplomatic nominations, including the U.S. Secretary of State. Ricketts will be the second highest ranking Republican on the Committee.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: New Hampshire Congressional Delegation, Community Organizations and Granite Staters Speak Out About Devastating Impact of Trump’s Cut to Federal Grants and Loans

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen
    (Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH), as well as U.S. Representatives Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), joined Manchester School District Superintendent Jennifer Chmiel, Strafford County Community Action Partnership CEO Betsey Andrews Parker, Amoskeag Health CEO Kris McCracken, Professional Firefighters of NH and other New Hampshire organizations for a virtual event to outline the ways that President Trump’s halt of nearly all federal grants and loans is impacting New Hampshire families and communities. 
    You can watch the full press conference here.
    “We’ve got millions of people across the country, and thousands in New Hampshire, who have no idea if they’re going to be able to get the services that they’re depending on because the White House has been so confused about what they’ve done and they haven’t been able to issue any clear answers,” said Senator Shaheen. “We need to see the President repeal these executive orders because what he has done is not going to help people lower their food prices, pay their rents, get the child care that they need or the health care that they need for their families.”
    “President Trump’s illegal cut of federal funds includes grants for police officers, firefighters, our efforts to crackdown on fentanyl, special education programs, small business loans, community health centers, homeless shelters for veterans…virtually every aspect of American life. The White House keeps sowing chaos and confusion about the status of this funding. But make no mistake. People’s safety, their jobs, their health, our fire and police departments…shouldn’t hang in the balance subject to the confused wordings and impulsive whims of the next tweet or memo,” said Senator Maggie Hassan.
    “The actions taken by the Trump Administration to freeze federal funds will have a devastating impact on communities across New Hampshire and will significantly hurt our state’s ability to address housing concerns, fight addiction, preserve public safety, and make sure that Granite Staters have what they need. These federal funds are more than just lines on a spreadsheet in Washington D.C. This is about people here in New Hampshire and the ability of our communities to come together to help those in need and build a stronger future for us all. This fight is not over, and my message to Granite Staters is that we will do all that we can to protect these resources and ensure that our communities remain healthy, strong, and safe,” said Congressman Pappas.
    “This week I’ve traveled across the Second District — from the North Country to Nashua and from Keene to Concord. I’ve talked to our workers, teachers, police officers, firefighters, health care providers, small businesses, mayors, and town managers. The through line of every conversation has been an intense concern about the wide-ranging and devastating impacts that losing the federal funding promised to New Hampshire will have on our way of life,” said Representative Maggie Goodlander. “Real people right here in New Hampshire are paying the price for President Trump’s lawless, chaotic efforts to cut off federal funding. That is unacceptable. I will never stop fighting with every possible tool to deliver for New Hampshire.”
    “Our priorities have not changed.  We will continue to provide services to our clients and support our team until we are directed otherwise.  We will adapt to the changing landscape so clients that depend on our agency for services such as childcare, fuel assistance, transportation, and food can continue to access these resources. We greatly appreciate the support of the New Hampshire delegation during this challenging time.” said Betsey Andrews Parker, CEO Community Action Partnership of Strafford County.
    “The Portsmouth Police Department depends on federal grants to fund programs impacting local, seacoast, and statewide communities. Locally, federal grant funds are utilized for bulletproof vests for officers and enforcement patrols on our roadways, which include speed, distracted driving, DUI, and pedestrian/bike enforcement. With the help of federal dollars, we offer victim witness advocate services, staff training, and law enforcement equipment such as body-worn cameras and investigative equipment… the loss of these funds would reduce staff, significantly impact investigations into internet-based sexual crimes against children that have skyrocketed and continue to climb, and impact services for victims of crime, roadway safety, and the safety of our officers,” said Mark Newport, Chief of Police, Portsmouth Police Department in a letter.
    “Uncertainty makes development difficult. While we work in a field rife with uncertainty, we know we can rely on our funding sources to be steady, when we have the funding we can move forward. It upsets our ability to commit to community projects when we cannot know whether or not the funding we have been awarded to build housing will actually be available to us when the time comes to call on those funds. In a relatively high-risk development environment, in a critical need area for our communities, we need the federal funds to be stable. Being left without promised funds on a project could easily mean the financial collapse of the project, a loss of years worth of time and effort. Depending on the projects size, it could have a major impact on our ability to operate,” said Harrison Kanzler, Executive Director, AHEAD Inc.
    “As NH’s only center for independent living, serving thousands of individuals living with a disability, the consequences of EO-M-25-13, would have caused thousands of Granite Staters living with a disability to be left without critical services.  These services are in place to provide and assist with daily needs, including transportation, personal care, education, and workforce training.  The very services provided by GSIL and funded by federal grants, such as benefits counseling, workforce readiness, and transition services are an integral part in the promotion of living independently,” said Deborah Ritcey, MPA/HA, President & Chief Executive Officer, Granite State Independent Living (GSIL).
    “As a private non-profit community development corporation that is focused on providing affordable housing for granite staters, we have worked with numerous federal programs over the past thirty years, and the one thing we need to keep doing our work is consistency and reliability.  So when we are faced with distractions that cause chaos and confusion throughout our sector, it makes the difficult work of building affordable housing even that much more challenging,” said Robert Tourigny, Executive Director, NeighborWorks Southern New Hampshire.
    “While we were relieved that the Administration intended to exclude rental assistance from the spending freeze, funding that we rely on to provide self-sufficiency services to working families, build new affordable housing, and reduce our energy costs were all targeted. On behalf of the nearly 930 senior, disabled and working families we serve, we are grateful to all of the individuals, organizations and elected officials across the country for their advocacy,” said Joshua Meehan, Executive Director, Keene Housing.
    “Federal funding is a lifeline for Community Health Centers, which deliver comprehensive primary care, mental and behavioral health, dental, and other essential primary care services to over 330,000 patients across New Hampshire and Vermont. With the uncertainty around the status of health centers’ federal grant funding, we are extremely concerned about the ability of their patients to access the services they need,” said Tess Kuenning, President & CEO of Bi-State Primary Care Association.
    “Ammonoosuc Community Health Services is a federally qualified health center that integrated primary preventive services in the rural White Mountains of Northern New Hampshire to nearly 10,000 patients a year, across five strategically located care delivery sites. In fact, we serve 1 out of every 3 residents within our service area.  Our patients receive care that is nationally recognized.  Our outcomes for patient with depression or diabetes exceeds national healthy people goals since 2009, top two FQHC for colorectal cancer screening (2018), top 16 FQHC in overall cancer screening (2023).  All accomplished in a financially responsible manner where our annual financial audit has always been free of any concerns and 95% of our patients recommend us to friends, family and neighbors who need care. All in all we govern ACHS in a responsible and predictable manner.  As an FQHC we provide services to everyone, regardless of social and economic status. The President’s unprecedented and unannounced freeze on nearly all federal funding meant an immediate freeze on nearly $180,000 in monthly drawdown payments and catapulted my staff into 24 hours of uncertainty and chaos while we tried to get clarification from the administration. Clarification that never came. This type of governing is categorically not a responsible way to govern, has real world impacts, and wasteful in diverting critical resources away from our core mission of providing outstanding health care services to those in our community who need it most. As the CEO and steward of ACHS, The People’s Health Center, I take responsible governance seriously and I expect those elected by the people to take their responsibility seriously as well,” said Ed Shanshala, CEO, ACHS.
    On Wednesday night, Shaheen spoke on the Senate floor to condemn the Trump administration’s order to take away federal grants and loans that families, seniors and small businesses in all 50 states rely on for critical, often life-saving services. Shaheen illustrated the chaos caused by the extreme order by sharing the stories of many Granite Staters she has heard from in the past two days.
    On Monday, the Trump administration’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) announced a sweeping executive order pausing almost all forms of federal assistance to states, nonprofits, non-governmental organizations and more. Senator Shaheen immediately condemned the move and emphasized the impact it will have on communities. The full list that agencies were directed to review encompasses over 2,600 assistance programs, including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP), Women, Infants and Children (WIC), community health centers, the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), transportation and highway funding, energy assistance programs, water infrastructure funding, State Opioid Targeted Response grants, GI Bill, veteran compensation for service connected disabilities, Section 8 housing vouchers, school breakfast and lunch, Title I education grants, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Head Start.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kansas Delegation Releases Statement Following the Wichita Flight Crash

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas – Jerry Moran

    “Our prayers are with the families and friends of those affected by the tragic plane crash that occurred in our nation’s capital. South central Kansas is a close community, and it’s likely that many of us directly or indirectly know people who were on Flight 5342 on Jan. 29. This is a sad day for Kansans and our nation, and this community, steeped in aviation and manufacturing history, will feel the pain of this catastrophe for years to come. We are grateful for the first responders and rescue crews who worked through the night. Our focus now is supporting the family and friends of those who perished, including the crew and military personnel, and then getting answers for the grieving individuals who have lost a loved one and making sure this doesn’t happen again.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lankford Applauds Competitive Federal Transportation Grant Awards in Eastern Oklahoma

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Oklahoma James Lankford

    WASHINGTON, DC – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) applauded the award of competitive federal grants to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT). ODOT was awarded grant funding for two projects in Oklahoma from the Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program (Rural) under the consolidated Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant (MPDG) opportunity.

    The MidAmerica Connectivity Project in Pryor, OK, was awarded $38.7 million to expand and improve the safety of infrastructure supporting the MidAmerica Industrial Park. The project includes roadway reconstruction, widenings, new and improved interchanges, and enhanced pedestrian accessibility. The MidAmerica Industrial Park is one of the largest in the nation. Another project award consisted of $30 million to widen US-259 through Hochatown to accommodate the dramatic growth of this vibrant destination in southeast Oklahoma. 

    “The United States has many critical infrastructure needs, including the vital infrastructure needs in Oklahoma,” said Lankford. “I have worked for years to help Oklahomans in Hochatown raise relevant concerns and preferences for how to safely and efficiently widen the US highway through town for increased commercial and tourism traffic, while also prioritizing the local community’s needs and the significant pedestrian traffic in the area. As the MidAmerica facility continues to grow and bring in significant economic opportunities to eastern Oklahoma, their infrastructure and connectivity needs to also grow,. I am grateful for these investments in our state and for the ongoing work of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to address the needs of critical infrastructure in our state with the help of competitive federal grants and state matching dollars.”

    “Our cooperative investments in transportation infrastructure are vital to improving safety and connecting Oklahoma communities. The enhancements at MidAmerica Industrial Park and in the Hochatown community are critical in supporting Oklahoma’s continued growth and strengthening the state’s transportation network,” said Tim Gatz, Oklahoma Department of Transportation Executive Director. “We are grateful for Senator Lankford’s infrastructure leadership and for the support of Oklahoma’s delegation.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Coons statement on reports of Delawarean plane crash victims

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) issued the following statement after reports that three Delawareans were among those killed in last night’s plane crash near Washington Reagan National Airport:

    “I’m devastated to hear the news that at least three Delawareans died during last night’s air collision. Sasha Kirsanov, Sean Kay, and Angela Yang went to Wichita to pursue their passion for figure skating. It is a tragedy that none of them returned home to our state. Delaware is a state of neighbors, and tonight we hold all of our neighbors a little closer. My heart goes out to Sasha’s wife Natalia, the University of Delaware Figure Skating Club, and every other Delawarean touched by the three of them.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Crapo Statement on Burgum Confirmation

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo

    Washington, D.C.–U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) issued the following statement after the Senate confirmed, by a vote of 79-18, Doug Burgum to be Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior:

    “Idaho is home to some of our nation’s most unique landscapes and vast natural resources, as well as home to five Native American Tribes.  Consultation with local and Tribal officials on the appropriate balance of conservation and economic needs is of paramount importance.  Doug Burgum pledged to consult with local and tribal leaders on managing public lands, ensuring local, on-the-ground voices are heard.  Further, our country is home to natural resources integral to increasing American energy independence and countering China’s control of critical minerals.  As President Trump’s new ‘energy czar,’ Burgum has recognized the need for American energy independence is a matter of national security.  He is well-qualified for his confirmation to Secretary of the Interior.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Capito Votes to Confirm Doug Burgum for Interior Secretary

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee and a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, issued the following statement after voting to confirm Doug Burgum to serve as the next Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior:

    “Doug Burgum has a strategic vision to maximize America’s vast natural resources while preserving clean air, clean water, and our most scenic public lands. I was proud to vote to confirm him to lead the Department of the Interior, and I look forward to working with him and the Trump administration on their vision to chart a new course for unleashing American energy and maximizing the use of our resources,” Senator Capito said.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla Questions FBI Director Nominee Kash Patel on Lack of Independence, Experience During Nomination Hearing

    US Senate News:

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

    Padilla Questions FBI Director Nominee Kash Patel on Lack of Independence, Experience During Nomination Hearing

    WATCH: Padilla slams Patel for dodging questions on background checks and civilian machine gun ownershipWASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) questioned Kash Patel, nominee for Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. Padilla raised serious concerns about Patel’s fitness to lead the FBI independently, citing his lack of law enforcement experience, history of spreading falsehoods, and threats to weaponize the Bureau against political opponents.
    Patel has published a political enemies list, threatened to prosecute journalists, and has even said he plans to “shut down the FBI Hoover Building on Day 1 and reopen it the next day as a museum of the “deep state.” Padilla directly challenged Patel on his past public statements that FBI agents and officials are “corrupt gangsters.”
    As FBI Director, Patel would oversee the National Instant Criminal Background Check System and regulate machine gun distribution. Yet Patel repeatedly dodged questions on the constitutionality of universal background checks for firearm purchases and on whether civilian ownership of machine guns should be legal. His nomination has been praised by Gun Owners of America, a group that opposes background checks and claims that machine guns are protected under the Second Amendment — positions far outside the mainstream of law enforcement and public safety policy.
    Padilla also confronted Patel about his role in financially supporting insurrectionists convicted for their roles in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. He has raised money for the families of convicted January 6th rioters — yet he has not made similar efforts to support the police officers who were beaten, tased, and attacked defending the Capitol that day. Patel’s selective advocacy raises serious concerns about where his loyalties lie and whether he would prioritize law enforcement or political extremists as FBI Director.
    Padilla called out Patel for his reckless actions during a high-stakes national security operation. While serving as Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council, Patel provided false information to senior leadership during a SEAL Team hostage rescue mission in Nigeria. According to former Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, Patel falsely claimed that the United States had secured permission to fly over foreign airspace, a misrepresentation that delayed the mission and put American lives at risk. When confronted by Padilla, Patel failed to own up to his serious lapse in judgement in this situation.
    Key Excerpts:
    PADILLA: Mr. Patel, do you believe that background checks for firearm purchases are constitutional?
    PATEL: I don’t know the in-depths of it, but I think that’s what the Supreme Court has said, Senator.
    PADILLA: So the word would be Y-E-S, yes. Can you say yes, are background checks constitutional?
    PATEL: I can say whatever the Constitution and the Supreme Court ruled is the rule of the land.
    PADILLA: And what is the rule, the law of the land at the moment?
    PATEL: I’m not an expert on state-by-state background checks.
    PADILLA: … Let me ask you another question. Do you believe that civilian ownership of machine guns are protected by the Second Amendment?
    PATEL: Universal background checks are different. That’s not–
    PADILLA: I asked you a separate question. Do you believe civilian ownership of machine guns is protected by the Second Amendment?
    PATEL: Whatever the courts rule in regards to the Second Amendment is what is protected by the Second Amendment.
    PADILLA: Yet another telling response, colleagues, on another important issue.
    PADILLA: … Colleagues, we’ve been hearing a lot of partial responses and lack of recollections throughout the day, and I can’t help but identify the pattern of Mr. Patel calling FBI leadership corrupt, labeling agents as gangsters, accusing them of being part of a criminal “Deep State” conspiracy. We’ve heard of his experience with the J6 prison choir, a group of individuals convicted for their roles in the January 6 insurrection. We’ve heard his false claims that the U.S. has secured airspace permissions during a high stakes SEAL team hostage rescue mission in Nigeria. I can go on and on. These positions are inconsistent with the role of FBI director, a position that demands independence, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to the rule of law. Mr. Patel, your loyalty to President Trump and the MAGA movement may score you points in some quarters, but they are certainly not the qualities necessary to serve as director of the FBI.
    Video of Padilla’s first round of questioning is available here. His second round of questioning is available here.
    Yesterday, Senator Padilla joined all Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee in requesting urgent access to critical materials directly pertaining to Kash Patel’s nomination.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sen. Scott Questions Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. at Confirmation Hearing

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Tim Scott

    WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, questioned Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., President Trump’s nominee to serve as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Senator Scott and Mr. Kennedy discussed a range of topics, including the Right to Life, Sickle Cell Disease, and preventing and reducing drug shortages. 

    Excerpts from Senator Scott’s questioning can be found below:

    Watch the full video here.

    On the Right to Life…

    “One of the beauties of our country is we have foundational documents that point us in the right direction. I think it’s the compass of shows us true north…The Declaration of Independence mentions life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as unalienable rights. You and I had a serious conversation about the importance of life. And I’m a pro-life Christian, as you know… And you assured me that your deputies were going to be pro-life. Is that still the case?”

    On Sickle Cell Disease…

    “During the first Trump administration, HHS began investing in policies to support individuals living with Sickle Cell Anemia. This has continued. A career staff person has dedicated time to coordinate Sickle Cell Disease related activities across HHS and other government agencies. Will you commit to continuing to have an individual serve in this coordinating role for sickle cell?”

    On preventing and reducing drug shortages…

    “This past fall, due to one facility making the majority of our IV drugs in the U.S., it was devastated by Hurricane Helene. Hospitals and health care facilities across the country faced IV shortages. Nephron Pharmaceuticals in Columbia, South Carolina, tried to shore up IV support in South Carolina hospitals by creating the Palmetto Line in this facility to help make IVs for hospitals across the state. We must do more proactively to address the shortages and the shortage risks, as well as to provide and promote the production of medical products here in the U.S. If confirmed, how will you prioritize efforts to prevent and reduce drug shortages, including for essential medicines?”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murray, Budget Committee Democrats, Leader Schumer Press to Delay Vought’s OMB Nomination

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a senior member and former Chair of the Senate Budget Committee, joined every other Democratic member of the Budget Committee and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) in demanding that Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-SC) delay Russell Vought’s nomination to serve as Director of Office of Management and Budget (OMB) until he satisfactorily answers questions regarding his advice to the President relating to the illegal impoundment of Congressionally appropriated funds – questions that have taken on greater urgency in light of OMB’s directive “to freeze all funding for ‘Federal financial assistance programs.’”

    “While Mr. Vought stonewalled Committee members, he was already planning on halting programs that feed hungry children, heat the homes of low-income families, support farmers, and bring relief to those suffering from natural disasters. The laws Congress passes are not suggestions, and Mr. Vought willfully ignoring them harms the constituents of every Member of the Committee,” the senators wrote.

    The senators called for the Budget Committee to postpone the vote on Vought for two weeks while they get full and complete responses to questions from the nominee.

    The senators wrote, “It is simply unconscionable that the Budget Committee could vote to confirm Mr. Vought to be Director of Office of Management and Budget without getting some real answers from him about his ongoing efforts to stymie the will of Congress. Mr. Vought is a clear and present danger to Congress’s Power of the Purse; his outright refusal to discuss his plans that were already in development is a slap in the face to every Member of the Committee, Democrat and Republican alike.”

    The letter was signed by all the Democrats of the Senate Budget Committee—Ranking Member Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Mark Warner (D-VA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), and Alex Padilla (D-CA)—and Leader Schumer.

    A copy of the letter is available here or below:

    Dear Senator Graham:

    During the Budget Committee’s hearing on Wednesday, January 22 to examine the nomination of Russell T. Vought to serve as the Director of Office of Management and Budget, Mr. Vought was repeatedly evasive about whether, if confirmed, he would advise the President to impound Congressionally-appropriated funds in clear violation of Article II of the Constitution and the unambiguous text of the Impoundment Control Act of 1974.

    In written responses to questions following the hearing, Mr. Vought continued his refusal to answer direct questions about how executive orders to pause foreign aid funding, as well as funding authorized and appropriated by the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, complied with the law.

    Now, less than a week after the hearing, it is clear that Mr. Vought’s non-answers were an effort to thwart the Committee from getting the truth of the Trump administration’s plan, per OMB memorandum M-25-13, to freeze all funding for “Federal financial assistance programs.” While Mr. Vought stonewalled Committee members, he was already planning on halting programs that feed hungry children, heat the homes of low-income families, support farmers, and bring relief to those suffering from natural disasters. The laws Congress passes are not suggestions, and Mr. Vought willfully ignoring them harms the constituents of every Member of the Committee.

    It is simply unconscionable that the Budget Committee could vote to confirm Mr. Vought to be Director of Office of Management and Budget without getting some real answers from him about his ongoing efforts to stymie the will of Congress. Mr. Vought is a clear and present danger to Congress’s Power of the Purse; his outright refusal to discuss his plans that were already in development is a slap in the face to every Member of the Committee, Democrat and Republican alike.

    For those reasons, we request that the business meeting to consider Mr. Vought’s nomination, currently scheduled for Thursday, January 30, be postponed for two weeks so the Committee may get full responses to the questions Mr. Vought has thus far refused to answer.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sens. Murray, Tillis, Reps. Levin, Murphy Reintroduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Ensure All Purple Heart Recipients Can Transfer Benefits to Dependents

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    Legislation led by Murray—daughter of a Purple Heart veteran—was inspired by a Washington state veteran who wrote into Murray’s office about a loophole in the law denying GI bill benefit transferability to certain Purple Heart veterans

    Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member and former chair of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and Thom Tillis (R-NC) reintroduced their Purple Heart Veterans Education Act this week—bipartisan, bicameral legislation that will close a loophole that has denied some Purple Heart recipients the ability to transfer their GI bill benefits to their dependents. U.S. Representatives Mike Levin (D, CA-47) and Greg Murphy (R, NC-03) introduced companion legislation this week in the House. The Members first introduced the legislation last Congress.

    In 2017, Congress passed the Forever GI Bill, which incentivized servicemembers to continue serving in the military by allowing them to transfer GI bill benefits to their dependents after they completed six years of service and agreed to serve an additional four. In 2018, the Department of Defense (DoD) expanded GI Bill transferability benefits to Purple Heart recipients, allowing them to transfer GI benefits to their dependents while on active duty regardless of years of service. While this policy honors most wounded warriors, it left behind a small group of those who received their Purple Hearts after being discharged from the military. The Purple Heart Veterans Education Act would close this loophole by allowing veterans who received their Purple Heart after their service to transfer their benefits to their dependents.

    In the Senate, the legislation is also cosponsored by U.S. Senators Rick Scott (R-FL), Angus King (I-VT), John Boozman (R-AR), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Steve Daines (R-MT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), John Cornyn (R-TX), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Kevin Cramer (R-DN) and Michael Bennet (D-CO).

    “Purple Heart veterans have made tremendous sacrifices to defend our freedoms, and we as a nation should do everything we can to support them and their families when they return—that includes ensuring all Purple Heart veterans have the full benefits they have earned,” said Senator Murray. “When one of my constituents brought a loophole in the current law to my attention—a disparity that meant he couldn’t transfer his GI Bill benefits to his daughter simply because he received his award after discharge—it was just commonsense to me that we should write a law to fix it. As the daughter of a Purple Heart Veteran, this is personal to me—and I’m grateful to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for joining me in this effort.”

    “Purple Heart recipients are heroes who honorably served our country at great costs, and this oversight that prevents servicemembers who received this distinguished award after their service from transferring their GI bill benefits to their dependents needs to be corrected immediately,” said Senator Tillis. “I am proud to co-introduce this commonsense legislation with Senator Murray to close this loophole and ensure every Purple Heart recipient and dependents are able to further their education.”

    “Through no fault of service members, Purple Hearts can be awarded retroactively or after a medical discharge. As the law currently stands, veterans are denied certain educational benefits associated with the award when this happens,” said Pat, a veteran from Washington state. “I learned this the hard way when trying to transfer my GI benefits to my daughter. Because I had received my Purple Heart post-service, the benefits offered to dependents of other Purple Heart veterans were not available to her—and I know there are so many other veterans impacted by this same issue. I appreciate Senator Murray working to honor veterans’ sacrifices by remedying this consequential oversight.”

    “It’s a sad truth that not all of our brothers and sisters who served on the behalf of the United States of America received the recognition they deserve while they’re still in uniform. The Purple Heart Veterans Education Act, championed by Senators Murray and Tillis, does just that,” said IAVA CEO and Iraq War Veteran Allison Jaslow. “This bill empowers those who served and made great sacrifices in defense of our country to take full advantage of the educational benefits promised to them for their loved ones. IAVA applauds this renewed, bipartisan effort on behalf of Purple Heart veterans and their families by Congress.”

    “DAV is proud to support, The Purple Heart Veterans Education Act, a common sense solution that aims to close a loophole that prevents some Purple Heart recipients from transferring their unused education benefits. We thank Sen. Patty Murray and Sen. Thom Tillis for their leadership and re-introducing this important legislation that will allow Purple Heart veterans the ability to invest in the education of their family members,” said DAV National Legislative Director Joy Ilem.

    Specifically, the Purple Heart Veterans Education Act would:

    • Permit an individual awarded the Purple Heart for service in the Armed Forces on or after September 11, 2001, to transfer their educational benefits to one or more of their dependents.
    • Allow flexibility by permitting the veteran to allocate different amounts, totaling 36 months of benefits to each of their dependents. For example, one dependent may be designated 20 months and the other 16 months. 
    • Protect the veteran’s right to their benefits by prohibiting the use of their educational benefits to be treated as marital property or the asset of a marital estate. 
    • Honor the veteran’s legacy by allowing their dependents to continue using the unused benefits after their death. 

    The legislation is endorsed by Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).

    A one-pager on the bill can be found HERE.

    The full text of the bill can be found HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rosen Helps Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Assist Veterans with Home Ownership, Increase Awareness of VA Resources

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) announced that she helped introduce the bipartisan VA Home Loan Awareness Act to increase awareness of the VA Home Loan Program and help veterans achieve home ownership. The VA Home Loan Program offers unique benefits to veterans to help them finance their home purchases, including no down payment, no private mortgage insurance, and typically lower interest rates than conventional housing loans. Despite these benefits, only 13 percent of veterans ever utilize their VA Home Loan benefit, and only half of home-owning veterans say they were made aware of the benefit by their lender.
    “As Nevada continues to face a housing crisis, I’m joining bipartisan legislation to help ensure veterans have all of the information they need to make buying a home easier and more affordable,” said Senator Rosen. “The men and women who served our nation in uniform made incredible sacrifices, and it’s our responsibility to ensure they receive the benefits they’ve earned.”
    Senator Rosen has worked consistently to deliver for Nevada’s veterans and help them receive their benefits. Earlier this year, she announced that a bipartisan Rosen-backed bill to expand veterans benefits outreach became law. Senator Rosen’s bipartisan legislation to require the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to maintain a permanent helpline for veterans to use for information on VA services is now law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025. She also successfully pushed President Biden to include the construction of a new VA hospital in Reno in his 2024 Budget Request and helped introduce and pass bipartisan legislation to officially authorize its construction.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Cramer Questions Army Secretary Nominee Dan Driscoll on Delayed Establishment of Western Water Cooperative Committee

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
    ***Click here to download video. Click here for audio.***
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) held a hearing today to consider the nomination of Dan Driscoll to be the 26th Secretary of the Army. Driscoll, who was nominated by President Donald Trump in December, is a businessman, Army veteran, and Yale Law School graduate.
    In this position, Driscoll would have the primary responsibility of overseeing all aspects of the U.S. Army. Among other duties, he would be tasked with recruiting, organizing, supplying, equipping, training, mobilizing and demobilizing personnel, maintaining military equipment, the construction of buildings and utilities, and the acquisition of real property necessary to carry out responsibilities. The Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) also reports to the Secretary of the Army. 
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    U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), who also serves as chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee, asked Driscoll about bipartisan language he authored in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2022 requiring the USACE to establish a Western Water Cooperative Committee (WWCC). The WWCC provides North Dakota and other Western states with a platform to bring problems directly to the USACE and help ensure USACE policies align with state water rights and water laws.
    While the legislation was signed into law December 2022, and fully funded a year later, the WWCC has not been established yet. After sending a letter to the Army Corps with U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) last October, Cramer said some clarity on the process DOD and the Army are working through has been given.
    Yesterday, Cramer was told the WWCC’s charter currently sits before the Department of Defense’s (DOD) Advisory Committee Management Office and will be approved within 30 days, at which point it moves back to the Army for action.
    “It’s a law! It’s been approved by the only people that matter, the people in Congress and the President of the United States,” said Cramer. “So, 30 days to approve something that they’re required to do by law seems a little outrageous to me, but I’m going to be generous today. After the ‘30 days,’ which we’ll see, I’ll believe it when I see it, it goes back to the Army for action. […] That doesn’t give me a lot of solace. […] It’s a law, and has been a law for over two years.”
    Cramer asked Driscoll if he would commit to getting the charter approved by DOD’s Advisory Committee Management Office at least within 30 days, if not earlier.
    “Unequivocally, Senator,” said Driscoll. “I intend to work with this committee and follow the law, and so I would absolutely commit to looking into that.” 
    As chair of the SASC Airland Subcommittee and co-chair of the Defense Modernization Caucus, Cramer emphasized the importance of acquisition reform. He said, “it’s time to get disruptors in place, and Dan is one of those.”
    Cramer stressed the importance of “going faster” when it comes to DOD weapons development and procurement. As Secretary of the Army, Driscoll would lead the Army as the service is pursuing sweeping modernization initiatives across the force. 
    “We just have to go faster, and the Army does it quite well, by the way,” said Cramer. “If people go faster and innovate more and encourage innovation, particularly from smaller companies, I promise not to be the person that sits up here and says, ‘I gotcha’ when something bad happens. I promise you, I’ll be your worst nightmare if you fail to go fast because you’re worried about your backside and some DOD lawyer or leader that doesn’t have the guts to do what needs to be done to keep up with the pace of China.”

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