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Category: US Senate

  • MIL-OSI USA: Readout of President Joe  Biden’s Call with President Bola Tinubu of  Nigeria

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke today with President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria.  President Biden offered his condolences on the recent flooding that has impacted northeastern Nigeria and underscored his appreciation for President Tinubu’s leadership in securing the release on humanitarian grounds of American citizen and former U.S. law enforcement official Tigran Gambaryan last week.  The two leaders also spoke about the value of the U.S.-Nigeria partnership in addressing global challenges and advancing security and prosperity across multiple sectors. In particular, President Biden expressed appreciation for cooperation on law enforcement, including through the recently announced Bilateral Liaison Group on Illicit Finance and Cryptocurrencies, for collaboration on new and innovative technologies, and on shared interests in reforming international organizations to reflect African voices.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lankford Requests Information on Arrest of Afghan Nationals Allegedly Plotting Election Day Terrorist Attack

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Oklahoma James Lankford
    OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) joined Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee,  in sending a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas requesting information concerning the recent arrest of two Afghan nationals in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, who were allegedly plotting an Election Day terrorist attack on behalf of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS).
    “This alarming incident adds to a growing list of similar security breaches, raising serious concerns about the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) ability to effectively protect our homeland. The screening and vetting processes under the Biden-Harris Administration are clearly failing, allowing criminals and individuals with terrorist links to exploit vulnerabilities in the system. Given the significant threat to American lives, it is imperative that we receive detailed information to fully understand the scope of these issues,” wrote the Senators.
    According to the unsealed criminal complaint referenced in the letter, Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi entered the United States using a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV), shortly after the Biden-Harris Administration’s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan. After entering the United States, Tawhedi promoted ISIS propaganda, sent funds to known charities linked to ISIS support networks, and liquidated all assets to purchase weapons; with the remaining funds intended for the ISIS Treasury. The Senators stressed this alarming incident adds to a growing list of similar security breaches, raising serious concerns about DHS’s ability to effectively protect our homeland. Senators Rick Scott (R-FL) and Roger Marshall (R-KS), both members of the Homeland Security Committee, also signed the letter.
    You can read the full letter HERE or below:
    Dear Secretary Mayorkas:
    We, as Members of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC), are writing to request information concerning the recent arrest of two Afghan nationals in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, who were allegedly plotting an Election Day terrorist attack, on behalf of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS). According to the unsealed criminal complaint, Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi entered the United States on September 9, 2021, using a Special Immigration Visa (SIV), shortly after the Biden-Harris Administration’s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan.
    After entering the United States, Tawhedi promoted ISIS propaganda, sent funds to known charities linked to ISIS support networks, and liquidated all assets to purchase weapons; with the remaining funds intended for the ISIS Treasury. Tawhedi was working with a juvenile coconspirator with legal permanent resident status who had entered the United States on March 27, 2018, using a SIV. According to reports, the two Afghan nationals planned to carry out a violent, armed attack on Election Day.
    This alarming incident adds to a growing list of similar security breaches, raising serious concerns about the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) ability to effectively protect our homeland. The screening and vetting processes under the Biden-Harris Administration are clearly failing, allowing criminals and individuals with terrorist links to exploit vulnerabilities in the system. Given the significant threat to American lives, it is imperative that we receive detailed information to fully understand the scope of these issues.
    For this reason, we request the following information as soon as possible, but no later than November 8, 2024:
    All DHS records, including component records and complete Alien Files (A-Files), related to all of the individuals arrested in connection with this terrorist plot, including their immigration status and criminal history;
    All communications from or between DHS, CBP, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) regarding these individuals, including but not limited to their immigration status and criminal history;
    All documents and communications regarding the arrival and entry of these individuals in the US;
    Any addresses provided by these individuals upon entering the US;
    All documents and communications related to these individuals’ personal information processed through international and national criminal databases;
    All documents and communications related to any asylum or protection claims made by these individuals, including the type and reason provided;
    All communications that DHS, CBP, or ICE had with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in relation to these individuals, including but not limited to any arrests or detainments by any state jurisdiction; and
    All documents and communications detailing their transit through other countries;
    All documents sufficient to show all derogatory information in the Terrorist Screening Data Set associated with the two Afghan nationals arrested on October 7, 2024.
    Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Bennet, Hickenlooper, Bipartisan Colleagues Push for More Temporary Work Visas to Help Small Businesses in Colorado

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Colorado Michael Bennet
    Denver — Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper joined U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), alongside 37 of their bipartisan colleagues, to urge the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to release the maximum allowable number of additional temporary, non-agricultural (H-2B) visas for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 to support local economies and fill needed roles for American small businesses.
    “Many employers turn to the H-2B program to meet their workforce needs to not only sustain their businesses, but also support their American workers,” wrote Bennet, Hickenlooper, and the senators. “The H-2B program places requirements on employers to recruit U.S. workers, who are intentionally prioritized by the program and also receive demonstrated, positive impacts from their seasonal colleagues. In fact, a 2020 Government Accountability Office report concluded that ‘counties with H-2B employers generally had lower unemployment rates and higher average weekly wages than counties that do not have any H-2B employers.”
    In Colorado, more than 8,400 temporary H-2B visas were requested by over 250 employers in Fiscal Year 2021 – reflecting a strong demand for H-2B workers in the state. In the letter, the senators highlight recent data from DOL’s Job Openings and Labor Turnover Surveys illustrating the workforce struggles of seasonal businesses nationwide. The rate of job openings have increased annually for top five H-2B occupations. Landscaping, hospitality, and the ski industry – all key to Colorado’s economy – are among the industries with the highest share of certified H-2B workers.
    “As you know, the FY 2025 H-2B first half fiscal year cap was met on September 18, 2024—roughly three weeks earlier than the cap was met in FY 2024. The result is that seasonal employers whose peak seasons are in late fall and winter are capped out before their period of seasonal need begins. Absent cap relief, these employers will be unable to receive temporary, U.S. government-vetted guest workers,” continued the senators.
    In addition to Bennet, Hickenlooper, King, and Rounds, U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Chris Coons (D-Del.), John Cornyn (R-Teas.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), John Fetterman (D-Penn.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), George Helmy (D-N.J.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Joe Manchin (I-W.V.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), John Thune (R-S.D.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) and Tim Scott (R-S.C.) also signed the letter. 
    Bennet and Hickenlooper have previously pushed DHS and DOL to increase the availability of H-2B visas and worked to ensure that the visa program is efficient and effective. In 2022, they welcomed an additional 35,000 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas. 
    The text of the letter is available HERE and below. 
    Dear Secretaries Mayorkas and Su:
    We write on behalf of seasonal businesses in our states—including employers of housekeepers in tourist destinations, landscapers with defined seasons, seafood processors with short harvesting windows, and fairs and carnivals—who are struggling to hire a sufficient number of temporary, seasonal laborers to support their operations.  
    In light of these labor shortages, we strongly urge the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Department of Labor (DOL), to utilize the authority provided by Congress in the FY2025 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act to release the maximum allowable number of additional H-2B visas for Fiscal Year 2025, as you did for Fiscal Year 2024. These visas will help employers handle their labor challenges, and provide additional certainty regarding their workforce planning decisions in the coming months. We urge you to promptly publish a temporary rule implementing the release of these supplemental visas.
    Many employers turn to the H-2B program to meet their workforce needs to not only sustain their businesses, but also support their American workers. The H-2B program places requirements on employers to recruit U.S. workers, who are intentionally prioritized by the program and also receive demonstrated, positive impacts from their seasonal colleagues. In fact, a 2020 Government Accountability Office report concluded that “counties with H-2B employers generally had lower unemployment rates and higher average weekly wages than counties that do not have any H-2B employers.” 
    The most current employment data illustrates the workforce struggles of seasonal businesses nationwide. The Department of Labor’s Job Openings and Labor Turnover Surveys (JOLTS) show the rate of job openings have increased year over year for the industries that represent the top five H-2B occupations. As you know, the FY 2025 H-2B first half fiscal year cap was met on September 18, 2024—roughly three weeks earlier than the cap was met in FY 2024. The result is that seasonal employers whose peak seasons are in late fall and winter are capped out before their period of seasonal need begins. Absent cap relief, these employers will be unable to receive temporary, U.S. government-vetted guest workers. 
    Congress has acknowledged this seasonal labor shortage by providing DHS with the authority to lift the H-2B visa cap for each of the past eight fiscal years. Given the growing demand for H-2B workers as employers continue to struggle with staffing shortages, we encourage you to promptly promulgate a temporary final rule for FY 2025 along the same lines as the FY 2024 rule.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rosen, Cortez Masto Announce Funding to Increase Women’s Access to Skilled Trades Apprenticeship Programs in Southern Nevada 

    US Senate News:

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

    LAS VEGAS, NV – U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) announced more than $700,000 in federal grant funding to increase women’s access to skills training in Southern Nevada to enhance their participation in construction apprenticeship programs. The funding, awarded to the Southern Nevada Building Trades Union, will help recruit, train, and retain more women in their construction training programs. The funding comes from the Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations grant program, which supports programs that train women for union jobs and nontraditional occupations.
    “Skills training programs and apprenticeships open the door to good-paying jobs without having to get a four-year college degree, and I’m working to make these opportunities available to more Nevadans,” said Senator Rosen. “I’m proud to announce hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal funding are being awarded to the Southern Nevada Building Trades Union to expand access for more women in their apprenticeships programs. I’ll keep working to support Nevada’s workforce and economy.”
    “Apprenticeships are a great way for hardworking Nevadans of all walks of life to build opportunity and access good-paying, union jobs,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “This grant will allow Southern Nevada Building Trades to expand their apprenticeship programs, and will help more women, especially women of color, build union careers and provide for their families. I’ll always fight to make sure Nevada’s workers have everything they need to build the infrastructure of the future.”
    “We are proud to be awarded the first federal grant in the history of the Southern Nevada Building Trades through the Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) program,” said Vince Saavedra, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Southern Nevada Building Trades. “This $710,000 award will help us launch stipend programs for childcare, transportation, and create other critical support services, removing barriers for women to join and thrive in the union trades. With major projects like Brightline West, the Athletics Stadium, and others on the horizon, growing our skilled workforce is more important than ever. This grant is just the beginning as we continue to work to expand access to union apprenticeships and build a stronger future for all.”
    Senators Rosen and Cortez Masto have been working to support Nevada’s workers and ensure they have access to the training they need. Earlier this year, both senators announced that they secured nearly $16 million in federal funding for community projects to bolster workforce development in critical sectors throughout the state, including mental health care, nursing, and education. They also announced the delivery of federal funding they secured for workforce development to fill in-demand jobs in Southern Nevada. Senator Rosen recently announced $4 million to support registered apprenticeships and skilled workforce development in Northern Nevada and introduced legislation to bolster the housing construction workforce and a bill to provide Nevadans skills training in high demand fields like manufacturing, construction, and IT.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner and Kaine Announce Funding to Expand Rail Service Across Virginia

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $13,317,000 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation to expand and secure rail service across Virginia. This funding was made possible by the bipartisan infrastructure law, landmark legislation championed by both senators.

    “Thanks to the bipartisan infrastructure law, we’re unlocking investments in rail across the Commonwealth, which create jobs, cut costs, and give you the freedom to get where you need to go,” said the senators. “These investments will build on our work expanding funding for Amtrak and addressing rail bottlenecks across the country, creating a future where passenger rail is more affordable, reliable, and accessible for all Virginians, including folks in communities like Bedford.”

    The funding is broken down as follows:

    • $6,000,000 for the Buckingham Branch Railroad Company to replace old rail tracks and ties across central Virginia. The project will make freight rail service more resilient, efficient, and secure and reduce the risk of derailments by resurfacing approximately 83 miles of track and seven grade crossings.
    • $5,836,000 for the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority to improve the Richmond Staples Mill Amtrak Station by upgrading two platforms, adding one platform canopy, and promoting accessibility. This will make the station ADA compliant and will create a better and safer passenger experience. It will also support Staples Mill’s addition of 10 Amtrak trains per day, rapidly scaling up the number of passenger rail options available to Richmonders.
    • $1,481,000 for the Town of Bedford to develop plans for a new intercity passenger rail station. This funding will allow for initial engineering and environmental work on the proposed station, which could connect Bedford to passenger rail service for the first time in several decades.  

    The funding is made possible by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program, which is supported by several recent government spending bills and the bipartisan infrastructure law, all of which were strongly supported by the senators.

    Warner and Kaine have consistently supported and led efforts to expand passenger rail across the Commonwealth. Sens. Warner and Kaine advocated directly for the funding for Staples Mill Station and Bedford. In 2021, Warner and Kaine wrote and passed the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which has brought over $8.4 billion in federal funding to Virginia for hundreds of projects. In December 2023, Sens. Warner and Kaine announced $500,000, also courtesy of the infrastructure law, to explore the possibility of creating an infill stop in Bedford. Last week, the senators broke ground on the Long Bridge Project, a major effort to invest in rail in Virginia by easing one of the worst rail bottlenecks in America while creating 36,000 jobs.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner & Kaine Announce Funding to Expand Rail Service Across Virginia

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $13,317,000 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation to expand and secure rail service across Virginia. This funding was made possible by the bipartisan infrastructure law, landmark legislation championed by both senators.

    “Thanks to the bipartisan infrastructure law, we’re unlocking investments in rail across the Commonwealth, which create jobs, cut costs, and give you the freedom to get where you need to go,” said the senators. “These investments will build on our work expanding funding for Amtrak and addressing rail bottlenecks across the country, creating a future where passenger rail is more affordable, reliable, and accessible for all Virginians, including folks in communities like Bedford.”

    The funding is broken down as follows:

    • $6,000,000 for the Buckingham Branch Railroad Company to replace old rail tracks and ties across central Virginia. The project will make freight rail service more resilient, efficient, and secure and reduce the risk of derailments by resurfacing approximately 83 miles of track and seven grade crossings.
    • $5,836,000 for the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority to improve the Richmond Staples Mill Amtrak Station by upgrading two platforms, adding one platform canopy, and promoting accessibility. This will make the station ADA compliant and will create a better and safer passenger experience. It will also support Staples Mill’s addition of 10 Amtrak trains per day, rapidly scaling up the number of passenger rail options available to Richmonders.
    • $1,481,000 for the Town of Bedford to develop plans for a new intercity passenger rail station. This funding will allow for initial engineering and environmental work on the proposed station, which could connect Bedford to passenger rail service for the first time in several decades.  

    The funding is made possible by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program, which is supported by several recent government spending bills and the bipartisan infrastructure law, all of which were strongly supported by the senators.

    Warner and Kaine have consistently supported and led efforts to expand passenger rail across the Commonwealth. Sens. Warner and Kaine advocated directly for the funding for Staples Mill Station and Bedford. In 2021, Warner and Kaine wrote and passed the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which has brought over $8.4 billion in federal funding to Virginia for hundreds of projects. In December 2023, Sens. Warner and Kaine announced $500,000, also courtesy of the infrastructure law, to explore the possibility of creating an infill stop in Bedford. Last week, the senators broke ground on the Long Bridge Project, a major effort to invest in rail in Virginia by easing one of the worst rail bottlenecks in America while creating 36,000 jobs.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Helps U.S. Fish and Wildlife Spawn Lake Trout at White River National Fish Hatchery 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
    BETHEL, VT — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Chair of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development and Energy, joined representatives from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to tour the White River National Fish Hatchery (NFH) and discuss the importance of the hatchery’s collaborative efforts to conserve and protect Vermont’s fish, ecosystem, and wildlife. At the event, Senator Welch also helped the USFWS spawn lake trout. 
    “The White River National Fish Hatchery plays a vital role in repopulating fish populations and protecting them from invasive species in Vermont, across the U.S. and around the world. I’m incredibly grateful to those who worked so hard to rebuild this facility after Tropical Storm Irene and will continue to do what I can in Washington to support the hatchery,” said Senator Welch. 
    The White River National Fish Hatchery facilitates collaboration between the states of Vermont, New York, and the province of Quebec through the Lake Champlain Fish and Wildlife Management Cooperative, as well as with other conservation organizations, to address the challenges overfishing, agricultural runoff, development, and dams pose to fish who need to migrate to naturally spawn. 
    Following extensive damage from Tropical Storm Irene in August 2011, the hatchery was decommissioned for 5 years. Since reopening in 2016, the hatchery has renewed its work to raise landlocked Atlantic salmon and lake trout to support restoration efforts in Lake Champlain and the Great Lakes.  
    View photos from the event below: 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hoeven: Century View Will Provide 40 Families With Affordable Housing, Helping Address One of North Dakota’s Greatest Needs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for North Dakota John Hoeven
    10.29.24
    BISMARCK, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today marked the grand opening of the Century View affordable housing complex. The $11.2 million project primarily serves low-income families and individuals, consisting of 40 housing units across three apartment buildings with three-, two- and one-bedroom floor plans available, as well as an additional community building. Amenities include balconies and walk-out patios, in-unit laundry, outdoor green space, a community room and kitchen and office space.
    The project is supported by more than $3 million in federal funding, which Hoeven worked to secure as a member of the Senate Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriation Committee. This includes:
    $2.25 million in Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funds.
    $813,000 in Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), which were leveraged by the project developer to secure an estimated $7 million in project equity.
    Ongoing support from Section 8 housing vouchers, which will provide rental assistance to eligible residents.
    “Century View will serve as an important asset for the Bismarck community, providing 40 families with affordable housing and helping address one of the biggest challenges our communities face. This project is now a reality, with amenities that any tenant would want, because the developers were able to leverage more than $3 million of federal funding to secure private investment of $7 million,” said Hoeven. “Through partnerships like this, we can provide the affordable, high-quality housing stock that our state needs, supporting our ongoing growth and a higher quality of life.”
              Century View is the latest example of affordable housing efforts Hoeven has helped advance through his support for federal programs like HOME, LIHTC and other initiatives. Earlier this year, Hoeven marked the completion of the Milton Earl Apartments in Fargo, which serve low-income seniors, and he continues working to support development of the Lashkowitz Riverfront Project, among other efforts.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Budd, Tillis, Colleagues to Propose Bill to Replenish SBA Disaster Loan Program

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ted Budd (R-North Carolina)

    Washington, D.C. — Senators Ted Budd (R-NC) and Thom Tillis (R-NC), alongside Senators Tim Scott (R-SC), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), and Rick Scott (R-FL), announced plans to introduce legislation that would replenish the Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Program.

    On October 15th, the SBA announced the Disaster Loan Fund had run out of money.

    Senator Budd said in a statement:

    “The citizens of Western North Carolina are some of the toughest and most resilient people in this country. As they recover and rebuild their communities, they must be able to access disaster loans from SBA. This recovery will take many years, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to cut through the delays and provide WNC with the resources they need as quickly as possible.”

    Senator Tillis said:

    “The SBA Disaster Loan Program running out of funds risks delays in processing the loans of those affected by Helene and Milton and their ability to get their lives back on track. That is why I am leading legislation to replenish this fund when Congress returns to Washington, and I look forward to working across the aisle to pass a long-term disaster aid package that will provide additional resources to help make the victims of these hurricanes whole again.”

    Senator Cassidy said:

    “Hurricanes Francine, Helene, and Milton hit us hard, but Louisianans and Americans are resilient. This funding is essential to help small businesses recover from these storms and support our local economies.”

    Senator Rick Scott said:

    “We cannot allow frontline federal agencies, like the SBA, to run out of disaster relief funds. This is especially important in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton which devastated Florida, North Carolina and communities across the Southeast U.S. I continue to call on Leader Schumer to immediately reconvene the Senate so we can fund disaster relief functions at FEMA, the SBA, USDA and other agencies to get folks what they need and deserve. I won’t stop fighting to get this done and am proud to join my colleagues to introduce a bill that funds SBA disaster loans and makes sure the federal government is a reliable partner as families continue their recovery.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Statement from President Joe  Biden on Democratic Backsliding in the Country of  Georgia

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    The United States has long stood with the Georgian people and supported the country of Georgia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and Euro-Atlantic aspirations. That is why I have been deeply alarmed by the country’s recent democratic backsliding, including the enactment of legislation mirroring Russian laws that restrict fundamental freedoms and limit the space for independent civil society organizations. Most recently, Georgia’s October 26 parliamentary elections were marred by numerous recorded misuses of administrative resources as well as voter intimidation and coercion. Georgian citizens have a right to peacefully express their views regarding the conduct of these elections, which independent international and domestic observers have not said were free and fair. We call on the Georgian government to transparently investigate all election irregularities, to repeal laws such as the so-called “Foreign Influence Law” that limit freedoms of assembly and expression, and to begin an immediate, inclusive dialogue with all political forces in Georgia about restoring election integrity. We call for all parties to strictly respect the rule of law and fundamental freedoms, which remain the foundation for Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic future. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Readout of White  House Discussion on AI and Advanced Software Solutions to Accelerate Clean Energy Grid  Integration

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    Today, the White House Task Force on AI Datacenter Infrastructure convened experts from power companies, grid operators, software companies, NGOs, and other stakeholders to explore how advanced computing and software solutions, including artificial intelligence (AI), can accelerate grid integration of clean energy. Maintaining U.S. leadership of AI globally is a national security and an economic imperative. That is why the Biden-Harris Administration is focused on maintaining the strongest AI ecosystem in the world here in the United States and ensuring AI datacenters run on clean energy and without raising costs for American consumers. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm, National Economic Advisor Lael Brainard, Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy John Podesta, and National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi encouraged participants to invest in innovative solutions that further accelerate deployment and ensure we reliably meet our energy needs, keep electricity costs low, and achieve U.S. climate targets.
    Participants discussed efforts underway to get more sources of supply on the grid by addressing the backlog of projects to power the grid currently waiting in “interconnection queues,” situations where additional computing solutions can make the biggest difference, and strategies on how to pursue those opportunities.
    Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Willie Phillips joined the convening and explained how stakeholders would benefit from the Commission’s July 2023 rule on interconnecting new generation resources.
    The Department of Energy (DOE) announced a forthcoming new program that will use AI to help clean energy project developers submit applications that grid operators can evaluate more quickly. DOE also highlighted an investment announced earlier this month to help transmission owners and grid operators replace fragmented data management systems with a standardized, cloud-based software solution that supports a faster interconnection process.
    Moreover, participants discussed DOE initiatives unveiled earlier this year as part of its novel Interconnection Innovative e-Xchange, or i2X, program, highlighting roadmaps with recommended solutions to implement a simpler, faster, and fairer interconnection process and opportunities for stakeholders to get involved.
    The Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda has accelerated hundreds of billions of dollars of investments in clean electricity generation across the country and enabled historic actions to get energy projects funded, permitted, and deployed across the country – fueling over 250,000 new, good-paying energy jobs in 2023, which are growing at twice the rate of the rest of the economy. Applications for nearly 2,600 gigawatts of generation and battery storage capacity – twice current U.S. generation capacity – are waiting in interconnection queues to be connected to the grid. Accelerating the process by which grid operators study, determine, and approve needed grid upgrades to interconnect projects will enable clean energy to come online faster – energy America needs to fuel our economic growth, from our expanding manufacturing sector to datacenters that ensure U.S. leadership in AI to electric vehicles and more.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Reverend Warnock on Voting Against Hegseth Nomination to Lead the Department of Defense

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia

    Washington D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) released the following statement on his vote against the nomination of Pete Hegseth to lead the Department of Defense. Hegseth was confirmed to the position in a vote of XX-XX.

    “As a voice for Georgia’s nearly 100,000 active duty servicemembers and reservists, and as the son of a veteran, I understand the tremendous sacrifice our servicemembers and their families make to protect and serve our nation. Since coming to the Senate, I’ve always prioritized military readiness and protecting the safety of our men and women in uniform. That is why I voted against Pete Hegseth’s nomination to lead the Department of Defense.

    “I have prayed with Georgians before they left for deployment, welcomed them home after serving our nation, and stood beside Gold Star parents to honor their children who made the ultimate sacrifice. Allowing someone to lead the Department of Defense who has repeatedly shown a poor moral compass would dishonor those who give so much to keep our nation safe. And I fear confirming a deeply unqualified nominee would unnecessarily put Georgia servicemembers in harm’s way.

    “The Secretary of Defense should embody the high standards that all other servicemembers strive toward. Georgia’s military families sacrifice too much to not have the best Secretary of Defense possible. I believe we can do better.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Capito Votes to Confirm Hegseth for Defense 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.), a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, issued the following statement after voting to confirm Pete Hegseth to serve as the next Secretary of Defense.
    “Pete Hegseth has made it clear that he will put our men and women in uniform first as Secretary of Defense. As a combat veteran, he has seen firsthand the drain of bureaucracy in our Department of Defense that slows training and prevents us from innovating at the speed necessary to meet rising threats. In my conversations with Pete, I saw that he is committed to advancing policies that empower our warfighters and increase lethality. He has also assured me that he will focus on improving military recruitment and revitalizing our defense industrial base so that the ‘Arsenal of Democracy’ can once again produce the weapon systems we need to deter our adversaries. As a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I will work closely with Pete to advance President Trump’s Peace Through Strength agenda and to make sure we have the world’s preeminent fighting force,” Senator Capito said.
    Senator Capito previously met with Hegseth in December of 2024 to discuss his nomination and learn more about his vision to lead the department.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FACT SHEET: One Month Following Hurricane Helene, Biden-⁠ Harris Administration Spearheads Ongoing Recovery Efforts and Support for  Survivors

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    Since Hurricane Helene’s destructive landfall one month ago, the Biden-Harris Administration has mobilized a Federal response that has provided hundreds of millions of dollars in financial assistance to survivors, substantial debris removal and power restoration, and a sustained commitment to long-term recovery efforts. As President Biden and Vice President Harris have said, their Administration will be with the people across the Southeast and Appalachia no matter how long it takes.
    Thus far, the Administration has approved over $2.1 billion in Federal assistance for those affected by Hurricane Helene, as well as Hurricane Milton, which made landfall in Florida shortly after Helene.
    This includes over $1 billion in assistance for individuals and families to help pay for housing repairs, personal property replacement, and other recovery efforts. To date, the Administration has also approved over $1.1 billion in Public Assistance funding to support local and state governments. This funding is primarily being used to support debris removal, as well to pay for emergency protective measures like surging first responders and providing shelter, food, and water during and after the storms.
    President Biden, Vice President Harris, and senior leaders across the Administration have spoken with and coordinated closely with Governors, Senators, Representatives, Mayors, and other state and local elected officials in impacted states before, during, and after the storms. The President, Vice President, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, and multiple cabinet members and other Administration leaders have been in impacted states to meet with state and local counterparts, survey damage, assess what additional Federal support should be prioritized, and meet with first responders and survivors. 
    On October 26, White House Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall traveled to North Carolina to coordinate recovery efforts with Governor Roy Cooper, FEMA, and philanthropic partners on the ground. She underscored the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to innovative partnerships that can speed recovery and rebuilding — through collaboration with state and local officials, the private sector, non-governmental organizations, and philanthropic donors—for as long as it takes.
    Nearly 5,000 Federal personnel remain deployed to North Carolina and Florida, working side-by-side with state and local officials, to help survivors get what they need to accelerate their recovery.
    For communities affected by Helene, FEMA has delivered over 11 million meals and 9.6 million liters of water. FEMA now has 65 Disaster Recovery Centers open throughout all of the affected communities to provide survivors with in-person assistance with more opening each day. As of October 27, there will be 21 Disaster Recovery Centers open in North Carolina. Power and cellular service are restored for 99 percent of customers in impacted areas.
    As communities begin their road to rebuilding, the Administration continues to provide support and resources, including:
    Defense Personnel Supporting On-The-Ground Recovery
    Throughout Hurricane Helene response operations, the National Guard and Department of Defense have been engaged in the whole-of-government response efforts across the impacted areas. Members of the North Carolina National Guard, together with active duty servicemembers and guardsmen from 15 other states, have conducted more than 1,200 ground missions and more than 400 air missions in coordination with the state of North Carolina, and under the direction of the Dual Status Commander. 
    These efforts delivered more than 13,500 tons of humanitarian aid overland, and nearly another 2,000 tons through the air. This includes 614,881 gallons of bulk water, 4,331 pallets of bottles of water, and 3,108 pallets of food. Service members were active in route clearance – clearing hundreds of miles of roads, which enabled increased access to some of the hardest hit areas of the state.
    From the onset of this mission, the primary goal of active-duty Department of Defense Title 10 personnel and equipment was to provide immediate, short-term assistance to aid the most urgent response efforts. As of last week, Governor Cooper determined that the active-duty troops were no longer needed for this phase, and active-duty service members transitioned their mission to the National Guard and returned to their home bases. The National Guard, working with FEMA, and other Federal, state, and local partners, will remain actively engaged to address ongoing needs, rebuild infrastructure, and aid communities in long term recovery.
    The National Guard has roughly 2,000 Guardsmen, 65 high-water vehicles, and 7 helicopters still mobilized across seven states for the response to Hurricane Helene.
    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has more than 450 personnel engaged in missions across six states – supporting debris removal, temporary power, infrastructure assessments, , and safe waterways assessments. 
    Supporting and Protecting Public Health
    The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is taking action to support providers and suppliers impacted by Hurricane Helene. These providers and suppliers may face significant cash flow issues from the unusual circumstances impacting facilities’ operations, preventing facilities from submitting claims and receiving Medicare claims payments. As a result of the presidential disaster declaration, and HHS public health emergencies declared in the wake of Hurricane Helene, CMS made available accelerated payments to Medicare Part A providers and advance payments to Medicare Part B suppliers affected by Hurricane Helene beginning October 2, 2024. CMS has also made available certain flexibilities related to provider and supplier fee-for-service Medicare debt.
    Following storm damage from Hurricane Helene at Baxter International Inc.’s North Cove facility in North Carolina, the Biden-Harris Administration continues taking action to support access to IV fluids, including ensuring restoration of key production sites, protecting products, and opening imports, in partnership with manufacturers, distributors, hospitals, and other stakeholders. As a result of these steps, Baxter anticipates restarting the highest-throughput IV solutions manufacturing line within the next week. The Biden-Harris Administration also moved quickly to open up imports from six facilities around the world and made it easier for hospitals to produce their own IV fluid during the shortage.
    Supporting Students and Student Loan Borrowers
    The U.S. Department of Education (ED) is partnering with disaster-declared states to determine the extent of impacts to educational communities; identify gaps in resources for response and recovery; and share critical resources to help restore learning conditions. These resources include Project SERV, which provides funding for local educational agencies and institutions of higher education that have experienced a traumatic crisis, including weather-related natural disasters, to assist in restoring a safe learning environment. 
    ED is ensuring affected borrowers in areas impacted by the hurricanes can focus on their critical needs without having to worry about missing their student loan payments. Direct Loan borrowers and federally-serviced Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) borrowers in the affected area who miss their payments will be automatically placed into a natural disaster forbearance. During forbearance, payments are temporarily postponed or reduced, and interest is still charged. Thanks to regulations issued by the Biden-Harris Administration, months in this forbearance will count toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness and Income Driven Repayment forgiveness. Direct Loan and federally serviced FFEL borrowers are not required to take an action, but have the option to call their servicer if they wish to enroll in the forbearance proactively. Perkins loan borrowers should contact their loan holder to request natural disaster forbearance. 
    ED continues to monitor impacts to schools in the affected states, including school closures, damage to school buildings including ongoing utility outages, schools being used as shelters, and the number of displaced students and staff. ED is sending an assessment team to North Carolina this coming week to evaluate damages and work with the state to develop a plan to get students back into classrooms as quickly as possible. In parallel, ED is closely communicating with the leadership of 531 Title IV-participating institutions, across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia due to impacts associated with Hurricane Helene. ED has also posted electronic announcements, reminding impacted institutions of available regulatory flexibilities, and providing guidance on managing Title IV student aid during disaster situations. 
    Supporting Farmers, Agriculture, and Consumers
    The Department of Agriculture (USDA), in coordination with approved insurance providers, announced more than $233 million to help farmers recover from hurricane damage during the fall harvest season. Currently, Hurricane Helene indemnities are estimated to be nearly $208 million for Georgia, nearly $13 million for Florida, $5 million for Alabama, and more than $4 million each for North and South Carolina.  
    To date, USDA has approved Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) benefits to help eligible residents cover the cost of groceries in 112 counties in Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, and Tennessee. D-SNAP is a program focused on getting food assistance to those in need for people in communities affected by disasters, who may not otherwise be eligible.
    Supporting Infrastructure and Transportation Recovery
    Since Hurricane Helene made landfall, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been committed to helping water utilities and health departments in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and North Carolina as they work around the clock to bring clean, safe drinking water back to communities impacted by the storm. EPA and its state and local partners have made significant progress restoring drinking water and wastewater services in a vast majority of communities. In Western North Carolina, EPA has deployed two mobile water testing labs. EPA has received and analyzed approximately 700 samples, giving residents clear data about the safety of their drinking water. In addition to water testing, EPA has collected approximately 1,000 containers with oil, hazardous materials, or propane since clean-up efforts began in North Carolina.  
    The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) continues to support response and recovery efforts in impacted communities in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) worked with partners in affected areas to ensure the national airspace quickly returned to normal operations. The FAA deployed personnel to conduct vital infrastructure assessments and restore communications to impacted towers and airports, including Asheville Regional Airport in North Carolina and ongoing work at Valdosta Regional Airport in Georgia, among others. Approximately 133 personnel from Technical Operations and the communications support team remain on the ground supporting a range of response and restoration activities.
    The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) sent $144 million in “Quick Release” Emergency Relief funding to North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. These funds represent a ‘down payment’ to help with the immediate aftermath of the hurricane. Additional funding will be flowing to affected communities from the Emergency Relief program pending availability of funds. FHWA also worked closely with all impacted states and other federal agencies to help support their assessments of infrastructure damage.
    Providing Financial Flexibilities to Homeowners, Renters and Taxpayers
    The Department of Housing and Urban Development is providing a 90-day moratorium on foreclosures of mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) as well as foreclosures of mortgages to Native American borrowers guaranteed under the Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee program. The moratorium and extension are effective as of the President’s disaster declaration date in each state. When homes are destroyed or damaged to an extent that reconstruction or complete replacement is necessary, HUD’s Section 203(h) program provides FHA insurance to disaster victims, including renters. Borrowers from participating FHA approved lenders are eligible for 100 percent financing including closing costs. HUD’s Section 203(k) loan program enables individuals to finance the purchase or refinance of a house, along with its repair, through a single mortgage. Homeowners can also finance the rehabilitation of their existing homes if damaged. FHA is coordinating and collaborating with the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Agriculture to ensure consistent messaging and policies for single family loans regarding foreclosure moratoriums and repayment/arrearage agreements. Additionally, affected homeowners that have mortgages through Government-Sponsored Enterprises – including Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac – and the FHA are eligible to suspend their mortgage payments through a forbearance plan for up to 12 months.
    The Internal Revenue Service announced disaster tax relief for all individuals and businesses affected by Hurricane Helene, including the entire states of Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina and parts of Florida, Tennessee and Virginia. Taxpayers in these areas now have until May 1, 2025, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments. In addition, the Internal Revenue Service provided more than 1,000 employees to help with FEMA disaster relief call lines and intake initial information to help disaster victims get federal relief. IRS Criminal Investigation agents were also on the ground in devastated areas to help with search and rescue efforts and other relief work – including assisting with door-to-door search efforts.
    Supporting Workers and Worker Safety
    Working alongside the Department of Labor, the States of Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee have all announced that eligible workers can receive federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance to compensate for income lost directly resulting from Hurricane Helene. And, through the Department of Labor’s innovative partnership with the U.S. Postal Service, displaced workers from North Carolina and South Carolina can now go to the post office in any other state and verify their ID for purposes of getting their benefits quickly.
    Additional Response and Recovery Efforts
    The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has offered over $51 million in tentatively approved disaster loan funding to survivors of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The SBA also has hundreds of staff working on the ground supporting communities in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia in disaster recovery centers, as well as in loan processing and customer service centers that are fielding around 15,000 calls a day with an average wait time of 15 seconds. The SBA is continuing to process disaster loan applications while it awaits Congressional action to replenish their disaster loan funds.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lankford’s Legislation to Save Taxpayer Dollars by Reusing Excess Federal Property Signed into Law

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Oklahoma James Lankford

    OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – The Reuse Excess Property Act introduced by Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Gary Peters (D-MI) has been signed into law. The bill will hold agencies more accountable to the public on how they reuse excess personal property.

    “This is not that hard. Use the stuff you already have before you buy more stuff. When federal agencies just buy more, before they use what we already have, it shows a lack of commitment to saving taxpayer dollars. The federal government is already the largest single buyer of goods and services in the world, so we need to prioritize good stewardship and effective use of property the government has already purchased,” said Lankford. “From paper clips to automobiles, Oklahoma families and businesses make decisions every day about how to use what they have before spending more money. We should always look for ways for the federal government to save more money and waste less time.”   

    “Agencies should always consider reusing excess goods like office supplies, equipment, and vehicles rather than buying them new, and this law will ensure they do just that,” said Peters. “This law will hold the federal government more accountable by ensuring they only spend taxpayer dollars on essential items. The American people know what it means to be frugal and reuse what they own: it’s time federal agencies do the same.”  

    Federally-owned personal property includes physical items such as office supplies, furniture, automobiles, and heavy machinery. The federal government is the largest purchaser of goods and services in the world, and this law will ensure agencies are looking to excess property—available at no cost apart from any necessary transportation—before buying new products in order to save taxpayer dollars.   

    The Reuse Excess Property Act will update existing requirements for agencies to report their excess personal property to the General Services Administration (GSA) by making those reports available to the public as well. This would help agency officials and taxpayers better understand the extent to which agencies are working to cut wasteful spending through the use of excess property. The bill also requires agencies publicly report on their guidance on the use of excess personal property and designate an employee to be responsible for searching through available excess personal property for items that meet agency needs. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Brown Announces Major New University of Cincinnati Initiative to Save Taxpayer Funds on Infrastructure Construction

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Ohio Sherrod Brown
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced a new $5.1 million investment for the University of Cincinnati to improve and accelerate transit construction projects in Ohio, improving efficiency and saving taxpayers money. The University of Cincinnati will help Cincinnati Metro and other Ohio transit agencies deploy and test digital systems that will manage the entire construction process of transit infrastructure projects – which will speed up completion and improve projects while reducing costs. The award was made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Brown helped to write and pass. 
    “This investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will save taxpayers money and speed up transit projects,” said Brown. “Ohioans at the University of Cincinnati will do innovative work helping ensure that infrastructure projects are delivered on time and on budget.”
    The University of Cincinnati will partner with Cincinnati Metro (Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority), the Butler County Regional Transit Authority, and Akron Metro to deploy and demonstrate advanced digital systems to improve the construction delivery process. New digital systems for construction management enable engineers and construction workers at all stages of an infrastructure project to accomplish tasks faster, safer, and more accurately. 
    The Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration is awarding the investment through the Accelerating Advanced Digital Construction Management Systems Program. Brown – who serves as the chairman of the U.S. Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, which oversees DOT’s Federal Transit Administration – has championed federal investment to support Ohio’s local transit authorities.
    ##

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner Encourages Virginians to Apply for Participation in 2025 Inaugural Parade

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner

    President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden wave to members of Fauquier County’s Canine Companions for Independence during the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Parade

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) issued a special message encouraging groups throughout Virginia to apply for participation in the 2025 Presidential Inaugural Parade, which will be held on Monday, January 20, 2025 in Washington, D.C.

    “Presidential inaugurations are not just symbolic ceremonies – they are an instrument of democracy by which we execute the peaceful transfer of power in this country,” said Sen. Warner. “I encourage Virginia’s talented entities – including our many marching bands, floats, and equestrian groups – to take part in this time-honored tradition, dating back when President Jefferson rode his horse from the Capitol to the President’s House in a procession that would become the Inaugural Parade we know today.”

    The Joint Task Force-National Capital Region (JTF-NCR) Parade Coordinator Office is now accepting applications through December 4, 2024 for the 60th Inaugural Parade. The JTF-NCR is responsible for collecting and organizing all 2025 Presidential Inaugural Parade applications, which are then reviewed by the Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC), a group tasked with organizing all Inaugural events at the discretion of the President-Elect.

    In 2017, the parade consisted of 48 non-Department of Defense elements chosen from 141 applications. Groups interested in applying are encouraged to review the parade application guide before registering for an account, which can be done HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy, Blumenthal, Kaine Lead Colleagues In Engaging Administration On Proposal To Address Submarine Production Delays

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    October 28, 2024

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) on Friday led a bipartisan group of their Senate colleagues in asking the Biden Administration to address funding shortfalls for submarine programs as they consider funding levels for Fiscal Year 2025. In two separate letters to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Shalanda Young and Department of the Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro, the lawmakers also urged the Administration to carefully assess the merits of the proposed Shipbuilder Accountability and Workforce Support (SAWS) agreement—which would restructure how the Navy pays for submarines—as a potential solution to address delays and get the programs back on track.
    While Congress has invested over $2.3 billion between 2018 and 2023 and an additional $3 billion this year as part of a national security supplemental in the nation’s submarine industrial base, the Virginia-class and Columbia-class submarine programs face significant delays and are expected to be over budget. The on-time completion of Virginia-class submarines, which are built in Virginia and Connecticut, is especially critical to the fulfillment of the Australia-United Kingdom-United States (AUKUS) trilateral partnership, through which the United States will sell at least two submarines to Australia to bolster security in the Indo-Pacific.
    “The United States’ submarine programs provide our nation an undersea advantage that is critical to our national security,” the members wrote. “Based on the information available so far, the Shipbuilder Accountability and Workforce Support (SAWS) agreement strikes us as a promising approach to ensure our submarine industrial base rises to the occasion, accelerates submarine production, and fully meets the critical and building demand on U.S. shipyards… We request that you give all due consideration to this initiative, while ensuring it includes the accountability and leverage measures necessary to ensure our federal investments in submarine production go as far as possible in getting these critical programs on track.”
    The members continued: “It is our understanding that over months of conversation Pentagon leadership, the Navy, and industry reached an agreement to maximize use of taxpayer funding for construction of the next tranche of Columbia-class and Virginia-class submarines – including by raising wages to attract and retain America’s skilled and organized shipyard workforce, addressing rising costs, and advancing much-needed infrastructure investments, all to improve program reliability and schedule.”
    “We therefore urge more consistent communication with Congress and with OMB so that all parties clearly understand the Navy’s position on SAWS and overall plans to get our nation’s submarine production on track,” the members concluded. “It is critical that our submarine programs be on schedule and on budget.”
    U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Angus King (I-Maine), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), and Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) also signed the letter.
    The letter to OMB is available here. The letter to the Navy is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy announces $3.6 million in Hurricanes Laura, Delta, Ida aid for Louisiana

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)

    MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $3,568,827 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants for Louisiana disaster aid. 

    “Hurricanes Laura, Delta and Ida damaged many facilities across south Louisiana, including educational buildings and churches. This $3.6 million will help communities rebuild and recover from some of the high costs sustained during these storms,” said Kennedy. 

    The FEMA aid will fund the following:

    • $1,312,778 to the Society of the Roman Catholic Church of the Diocese of Lafayette for the restoration of the St. Francis Mission Chapel due to Hurricane Laura damage.
    • $1,202,044 to the Office of Risk Management to repair multiple state educational facilities, the 3rd Circuit Appeal Courthouse and surrounding buildings due to Hurricane Delta damage.
    • $1,054,005 to the Greater Lafourche Port Commission for emergency protective measures during Hurricane Ida.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Capito Announces Congressionally Directed Spending Award for WVU Research Initiative

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies (CJS), announced funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for West Virginia University (WVU).
    This award, which was secured through a Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) request made by Senator Capito in Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24), will support new research equipment and resources.
    “WVU is known to be a global leader in critical research initiatives,” Senator Capito said. “During the appropriations process, I worked closely with the university to identify the areas of need, and it was clear that strengthening their research capabilities was a priority. This award will help the university continue its efforts by acquiring state-of-the-art equipment that meets the demands of a leading electron microscopy facility, which can ultimately lead to attracting and retaining a high caliber of research faculty and students. I was proud to help secure this award that will have long-lasting benefits for WVU and our entire state.”
    Award details listed below:
    $1,140,000 CJS CDS award to WVU (Morgantown, W.Va.) for a suite of research equipment to develop standards and optimization in the areas of advanced energy systems, advanced manufacturing, and fundamental biomedical, neuroscience and life science studies. This equipment will be used to upgrade the existing Sample Preparation Laboratory (SPL) within the Electron Microscopy Facility (EMF) to optimally utilize current and future electron microscopes. The SPL processes samples for the EMF, as well as other research facilities. The availability of modern electron microscopy sample preparation facilities will support the recruitment of new faculty and student talent and in the retention of existing talent. The award also has the potential to benefit the entire Shared Research Facility by enabling faculty to propose and execute more ambitious studies in collaborative teams and by promoting greater industrial engagement by means of the materials insights that WVU can contribute.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Collins Announces Nearly $133 Million for Bridge Replacements in Penobscot, Kennebec Counties

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) has been awarded $132,676,036 for two projects in Penobscot and Kennebec County. This funding will assist in the rehabilitation or replacement of six bridges on Interstate-395 between Bangor and Brewer, and the replacement of six aging overpasses on Interstate-95 near Augusta. This funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Bridge Investment Program (BIP). With these two awards, the State of Maine is receiving more than 20% of the nearly $635 million being awarded nationwide through the BIP this funding round. Senator Collins sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in support of MaineDOT’s grant requests.

    In 2021, Senator Collins, then the Ranking Member of the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, was part of the core group of 10 Senators who negotiated the text of the bipartisan infrastructure law. This law established the BIP, which is the single largest dedicated investment in bridge infrastructure since the construction of the Interstate highway system.

    “This funding will make our roadways safer and more resilient by addressing bridges that are crucial to Maine’s infrastructure,” said Senator Collins. “Upgrading these routes will ensure that vital travel corridors remain accessible for residents, businesses, and commercial transport alike.”

    “This funding will help fund a dozen significant bridge projects in Kennebec County and the Greater Bangor area,” said Bruce Van Note, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Transportation. “Our team will replace six deteriorating bridges in Sidney and Waterville that do not provide enough vertical clearance for interstate traffic. We will also make major improvements on six bridges along the I-395 corridor in Bangor and Brewer, including the rehabilitation of the Veterans Remembrance Bridge spanning the Penobscot River. These investments in our transportation system support safety, reliability, and economic opportunity. We thank Senator Collins and Maine’s entire Congressional delegation for their ongoing commitment to supporting critical infrastructure projects in our state.”

    The funding is allocated as follows:

    • I-395 Bridge Bundle Project – $63,016,563 to rehabilitate or replace six deteriorating bridges along I-395 to enhance safety and improve driving conditions for those traveling between Bangor and Brewer, benefiting both local and regional mobility.
    • I-95 Accessibility Improvements Minimizing Heavy-Truck Impacts Project – $69,659,473 to replace six outdated bridges over I-95, bringing structures up to modern standards, allowing for safer heavy-truck passage, and reducing long-term maintenance needs on this critical route in Kennebec County.

    According to the USDOT, the BIP provides funding for bridge replacement, rehabilitation, preservation, and protection projects that reduce the number of bridges in poor condition, or in fair condition at risk of declining into poor condition.

    Since 2009, when Senator Collins became a member of the Appropriations Committee, she has secured more than $1 billion in competitive transportation grants for the State of Maine.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: McConnell Announces Over $38 Million in Federal Funding for Kentucky’s Railroads

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kentucky Mitch McConnell

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation will award $32,183,290 to the R.J. Corman Railroad Group and $6,492,000 to the Louisville and Indiana Railroad Company (LIRC) through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program.

    R.J. Corman will use today’s award to rehabilitate tracks across multiple rail lines in Central and Western Kentucky, enhancing the efficiency and timeliness of its rail operations. The federal funding awarded to LIRC will support critical repairs to Clagg Bridge, an important rail bridge traversing the Ohio River between Louisville, Kentucky and Clarksville, Indiana that services both rail and waterway traffic.

    Today’s awards are funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act as well as annual appropriations from Fiscal Year 2023 and Fiscal Year 2024. Senator McConnell, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, contacted the U.S. Secretary of Transpiration in support of both railways’ competitive grant applications and advocated for CRISI funding in both the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the annual appropriations process.

    “As a transportation and logistics hub, Kentucky’s railroads have been the linchpin of economic growth for generations of workers and job creators in the Commonwealth. The grants announced today will increase the speed, efficiency, and safety on two of Kentucky’s keystone rail operations, improvements that support good jobs and commerce across our state. I supported the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law precisely for projects like these, and I’ll continue to be a fierce advocate for Kentucky’s railroads, riverports, and waterways in years to come,” said Senator McConnell.

    “We are incredibly grateful to the Federal Railroad Administration for this grant, as well as to Senator McConnell, officials, and communities that supported this initiative. This partnership with R. J. Corman and Logan Aluminum underscores the power of collaboration between the public and private sectors. By leveraging federal infrastructure dollars alongside private investment, we are maximizing economic development opportunities for rail infrastructure in Kentucky. These enhancements will not only strengthen our ability to serve our customers but will also benefit a range of manufacturing companies and industries in central Kentucky. By improving the transportation of key commodities—such as agricultural products, automotive components, and raw materials—this project will bolster the region’s economy, expand market access, and enhance the overall efficiency of our supply chain,” said R. J. Corman Railroad Group President and CEO Ed Quinn.

    “The Louisville & Indiana Railroad is grateful for this award which will ensure that our 100-year-old lift span bridge over the Ohio River will remain a key component for our country’s economy for the next 100 years.  I would like to thank everyone that made this happen with a special thanks to Senator McConnell whose support is greatly appreciated,” said LIRC President John Goldman.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NBC News: Senators take aim at big private equity landlords as rents soar

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren

    October 24, 2024

    As Wall Street financiers snapped up huge swaths of the nation’s rental housing market in recent years, the deals sailed through unchallenged. Now, with the costs of renting an apartment or home out of reach for a growing number of Americans, four Democratic senators say these transactions need more scrutiny. 

    Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., sent a letter to private equity giant KKR on Wednesday, demanding information about its recent $2.1 billion purchase of 5,200 rental apartments across eight states. Among her questions: How does KKR plan to ensure that long-term tenants will be able to stay in their homes and what proportion of profits does KKR expect to generate from hikes in rents and fees at the apartments? 

    “KKR is just the latest private equity firm using the housing crisis to rake in profits while squeezing families,” Warren said in a statement to NBC News. “I’m sounding the alarm because we can’t solve the housing crisis unless we crack down on predatory practices by Wall Street investors.”

    …

    Read the full story here.

    By:  Gretchen Morgenson
    Source: NBC News

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Mass Live: Sen. Elizabeth Warren calls on federal law enforcement to help Springfield with increasing gun violence

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren

    October 24, 2024

    Following 21 months of record gun violence that has left at least 55 people dead in Hampden County, a Springfield police officer blinded in one eye and the seizure of more than 620 firearms, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., is calling for federal authorities to help Western Massachusetts.

    On Wednesday Warren sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with a five-point plan to better stop gun trafficking and crack down on illegal sales of guns to help the region.

    The letter also is signed by multiple Massachusetts members of Congress, including U.S. Sen. Ed Markey and U.S. Reps. Seth Moulton, James McGovern, Lori Trahan, William Keating, Stephen Lynch and Jake Auchincloss.

    …

    Read the full story here.

    By:  Jeanette Deforge
    Source: MassLive

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Business Insider: More student-loan borrowers are taking advantage of an updated route to get rid of their debt in bankruptcy court, top Democratic senators say

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren

    October 28, 2024

    An updated process for student-loan borrowers to get rid of their debt in bankruptcy court is working, a group of Democratic senators said.

    On Monday, Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Dick Durbin led Sens. Raphael Warnock and Sheldon Whitehouse in sending a letter — first viewed by Business Insider — to the Justice and Education Departments regarding the status of recent guidance intended to make it easier for borrowers to have success in bankruptcy court.

    Discharging student loans in bankruptcy court has been historically difficult. Borrowers had to prove a standard known as “undue hardship,” in which they cannot maintain a minimal standard of living, their circumstances aren’t likely to improve, and they have made a good-faith effort to repay their debt.

    …

    Read the full story here.

    By:  Ayelet Sheffey
    Source: Business Insider

    Previous Article

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: October 28th, 2024 Heinrich, Luján, Leger Fernández Welcome Over $1 Million to Break Down Barriers to Home Ownership for New Mexicans Living With HIV/AIDS

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

    SANTA FE, N.M. — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) welcomed $1,345,637 for the Santa Fe Housing Trust to provide more pathways to first-time home ownership to 2,050 New Mexicans living with HIV/AIDS. 

    This grant is funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) Program. The HOPWA program is the only federal program dedicated to the housing needs of people living with HIV/AIDS and their families.

    During the domestic HIV/AIDS crisis, individuals surviving with HIV/AIDS faced barriers to employment and incurred expensive medical costs. This trend continues and disproportionately impact low-income individuals who are struggling to afford stable housing even before diagnosis and treatment. The financial and health vulnerabilities associated with HIV/AIDS often result in housing instability and homelessness. Research shows individuals living with HIV/AIDS who have a stable place to live have more positive health outcomes and spend less time in hospitals or emergency rooms.

    “We should be making it easier for all New Mexicans to become homeowners. Full stop,”said Heinrich. “This funding will break down barriers for individuals living with HIV/AIDS to become first-time home buyers, ensuring more folks have a safe and secure place to call home. I’ll keep fighting to increase our housing stock, bring down the cost of housing, and ensure all people in our state have a shot at achieving the dream of home ownership.”

    “No New Mexican should ever worry about whether they will have a safe place to sleep at night,” said Luján. “I’m proud to welcome more than $1.3 million in federal funding that will help allow New Mexicans living with HIV/AIDS to secure permanent, stable housing so they can focus on their health. I will continue to fight to expand housing options for all New Mexicans.”

    “Home is more than a roof you live under, it provides safety and stability,” said Leger Fernández. “As we work to tackle the home affordability crisis across the country, we must use all tools available to help. We know one of the biggest hurdles homebuyers face is saving up for a downpayment. This $1.3 million for the Santa Fe Housing Trust will provide funding for important services like down payment reduction assistance for first-time home buyers living with HIV/AIDS. I’ll continue to fight for funding that helps our communities through legislation like my Home of Your Own Act which would also help first time homebuyers with down payment assistance.”

    Background

    Heinrich, Luján, and Leger Fernández are tireless advocates for lowering housing costs, increasing housing supply, and expanding housing affordability and access for families in New Mexico.

    Through Heinrich’s role as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, particularly through his seat as Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, Heinrich has worked to deliver millions of dollars to New Mexico for renters and home buyers.

    Most recently, Heinrich secured Committee support for the following investments in Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Appropriations:

    In Heinrich’s Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture Appropriations Bill, he secured $1.6 billion for rental assistance, an increase of $120 million over Fiscal Year 2023. Heinrich’s 2024 Appropriations Bill also provided for a pilot program that decoupled rental assistance from Multifamily Direct Loans, preventing thousands of low-income families from losing rental assistance.

    Additionally, Heinrich secured $1,100,000 through the Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations process for Santa Fe Habitat for Humanity to develop land into a mixed-income development focused on building 25 to 30 housing units for working families. In total, Heinrich has secured $14,500,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) for northern New Mexico to address the housing shortage.

    In May, Heinrich, Luján, Leger Fernández, and the N.M. Congressional Delegation welcomed $11.8 million from the U.S. Department of Housing to support public housing authorities build, renovate, and modernize public housing across New Mexico.

    In February, Heinrich, Luján, Leger Fernández, and the N.M. Congressional Delegation welcomed more than $16 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Continuum of Care program to support New Mexico projects that provide housing assistance and supportive services to people experiencing homelessness.

    Luján has also been a champion of expanding access to affordable housing for all New Mexicans. Earlier this year, Luján partnered with Heinrich to push for more funding for Tribal housing programs.

    Through Luján’s work on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, Luján has also fought to secure critical support for individuals living with HIV/AIDS.

    Luján introduced the bipartisan Ryan White PrEP Availability Act, bipartisan legislation to increase flexibility for Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program clinics, which provide care and treatment for individuals living with HIV/AIDS.

    In the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) Appropriations package, Luján secured $300,000 to advance the goals of his Oral Health Literacy Act and support the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program.

    Heinrich and Luján have also introduced a number of bills to tackle New Mexico’s housing crisis.

    Last month, Heinrich introduced the New Homes Tax Credit Act, legislation that would provide tax credits to incentivize new investments and additional resources for single-family home construction and renovations for working families. The bill would address the lack of housing inventory for individuals and families whose incomes are up to 120 percent of the area median income (AMI), particularly including in areas where middle-income families have historically been priced out. In Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Las Cruces, New Mexico, for example, this added housing inventory would benefit families with annual incomes of up to $103,680, $109,800, and $78,960, respectively.

    At a recent roundtable conversation with local educators in Albuquerque, Heinrich announced his Educator Down Payment Assistance Act, legislation designed to help more educators and school staff in New Mexico purchase a home and keep teachers in the communities where they teach.  

    In March, Heinrich co-led the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act, legislation to support homeownership among lower- and middle-income Americans by establishing a refundable tax credit worth up to 10 percent of a home’s purchase price – up to a maximum of $15,000 – for first-time homebuyers. 

    Heinrich also cosponsored the Housing for All Act, comprehensive legislation to expand access to affordable housing in New Mexico and supporting those experiencing homelessness. The bill would invest in proven solutions and provide a historic level of federal funding for strategic, existing programs to keep people housed and reduce homelessness, as well as for innovative, locally developed solutions to help vulnerable populations experiencing homelessness.

    Last year, Heinrich introduced the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act, which would help build over 14,000 new affordable homes in New Mexico over the next decade, generating over $2.5 billion in wages and business income. The legislation would support the financing of more affordable housing by expanding and strengthening the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, our country’s most successful affordable housing program.    

    Heinrich also introduced the Delivering Essential Protection, Opportunity, and Security for Tenants (DEPOSIT) Act, which would help an estimated 12,000 New Mexican families access rental housing through the Housing Choice Voucher Program to pay security deposits and get into a rental home. Luján is also a cosponsor of this bill.

    In January, as Chairman of the U.S. Joint Economic Committee (JEC), Heinrich released a report highlighting policy approaches to increasing housing supply in America. Heinrich also chaired a JEC hearing on the report. His full opening statement can be found here.

    Luján introduced the bipartisan Homes for Every Local Protector, Educator, and Responder Act of 2023 or the HELPER Act of 2023, legislation that would establish a new home loan program under the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to make homeownership more accessible to teachers and first responders.

    Luján also introduced the bipartisan Reforming Disaster Recovery Act, legislation that would establish a community disaster assistance fund for housing.

    Additionally, Luján introduced bipartisan legislation to expand Native American housing programs that builds on successful Native American housing programs at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) authorized by the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act (NAHASDA).

    Luján and Heinrich introduced the bipartisan Native American Rural Homeownership Improvement Act of 2021, legislation that would expand an existing U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) pilot program and deploy loans to eligible Native borrowers.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Video: Cassidy Showcases Recent Energy Security Summit, Highlights Foreign Pollution Fee Act in New Video

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy

    (Click here to download and here to watch)  
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) showcased his recent “Louisiana Energy Security Summit: Unleashing America Abundance in a Changing Global Landscape” in a new video. The summit, hosted in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in mid-October, brought together leaders from the federal, state, and local government, industry, the research community, and elsewhere. During his keynote address and fireside chat, Cassidy highlighted his Foreign Pollution Fee Act, which would even the playing field for American manufacturers while holding China accountable.
    “Right now, China is taking jobs from the United States by not enforcing environmental regulations. If the United States wants the jobs back, we got to begin to make China pay,” said Dr. Cassidy. “My Foreign Pollution Fee Act works for fairness, works for job creation, and stops giving China a cost advantage. It allows us to build a stronger economy not just for Louisiana but for our country.”  
    The summit featured ten panels which explored protecting U.S. interests from unfair trade practices, Louisiana’s low emissions manufacturing advantage, and the role of natural gas in strengthening U.S. geopolitical influence. Panelists included presidents and CEOs from Entergy, First Solar, Buzzi UnicemUSA, Orsted, and Aluminum Technologies, former Trump administration officials, and leaders from Louisiana trade associations and major energy and Fortune 500 companies. 
    Background
    Cassidy and U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) introduced their Foreign Pollution Fee Act to level the playing field with Chinese manufacturing and expand American production.
    In September, he released the 3rd episode of Bill on the Hill, where he highlights his Foreign Pollution Fee Act and discusses China’s growing economy and military coming at the expense of the American worker. After hearing fellow Americans share their concerns, Cassidy presented his plan to address the nexus between economic development, national security, and the environment. His Foreign Pollution Fee Act would even the playing field while holding China accountable.
    He penned editorials in Foreign Affairs, The Washington Times, and jointly in the USA Today Network discussing the geopolitical threat that China poses to U.S. global standing. Cassidy also joined Greta Van Susteren on Newsmax to discuss his foreign pollution fee, noting the competitive advantage China receives from intentionally ignoring environmental standards. 
    Last Spring, the Louisiana Senate and House of Representatives unanimously adopted a resolution urging Congress to pursue an industrial manufacturing and trade policy to counter competition from China. Learn more here. 
    Last Congress, Cassidy released a landmark energy policy outline in response to the Biden administration’s assault on domestic energy. The outline details how we can successfully reset U.S. energy policy, including Cassidy’s plan for an Energy Operation Warp Speed to cut permitting red tape and unleash domestic energy and manufacturing. In support of this complete vision and in addition to the Foreign Pollution Fee Act, Cassidy led Republican colleagues in opposition to a domestic carbon tax and introduced the first comprehensive judicial reform for permitting bill. He also pushed back on disastrous proposals from the Biden administration to limit development in the Outer Continental Shelf with the introduction of the WHALE Act and the Offshore Energy Security Act of 2023.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cassidy Announces $3.6 Million for Louisiana in Hurricane Laura, Delta, Ida Relief

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) announced Louisiana will receive $3,568,827.01 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for Hurricanes Laura, Delta, and Ida relief.
    “Louisiana communities are resilient no matter the storm,” said Dr. Cassidy. “This funding will help with the continued recovery and return our communities back to wholeness.” 

    Grant Awarded
    Recipient
    Project Description

    $1,312,777.93
    The Society of the Roman Catholic Church of the Diocese of Lafayette, Inc.
    This grant will provide federal funding for permanent work to the St. Francis Mission Chapel as a result of Hurricane Laura.

    $1,202,043.60
    Office of Risk Management
    This grant will provide federal funding for permanent repairs to facilities damaged as a result of Hurricane Delta.

    $1,054,005.48
    Greater Lafourche Port Commission
    This grant will provide federal funding for emergency protective measures as a result of Hurricane Ida.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth, Durbin, Budzinski Announce $157 Million in Federal Funding for Springfield Rail Improvements Project

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

    October 25, 2024

    [SPRINGFIELD, IL] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13) today announced $157,126,494 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for the final segment of the Springfield Rail Improvements Project (SRIP).

    The multi-phased project is a large-scale effort supported by local, state and federal funding designed to alleviate rail congestion in downtown Springfield by consolidating train traffic from Third Street to 10th Street and constructing a series of overpasses and underpasses along the corridor.

    “Investing in our rail infrastructure is about growing our economy and making it easier, faster, safer and more efficient so people and goods can get where they need to go,” Duckworth said. “This significant federal investment in the Springfield Rail Improvements Project will help us build a new multimodal transportation center, improve efficiency for passengers traveling between St. Louis and Chicago, support good-paying jobs and make Springfield safer for pedestrians and drivers. I’ll keep working with Senator Durbin and Congresswoman Budzinski to ensure that our communities are receiving the much-needed federal resources they deserve.”

    “Connecting communities is at the heart of transportation and today’s announced federal funding for a new Amtrak Station, rail improvements, and track realignment in Springfield will better connect passengers between St. Louis and Chicago,” said Durbin. “The Springfield Rail Improvements Project is dramatically changing downtown Springfield by reducing rail congestion, creating jobs, and improving safety for passengers, drivers, and pedestrians.  I will continue advocating for strong investments in Illinois’ transportation infrastructure.”

    “The Springfield Rail Improvements Project is revitalizing our downtown by reconnecting our community, reducing rail noise and enhancing public safety. It’s also creating good-paying union jobs along the way,” said Budzinski. “I’m honored to join Senators Durbin and Duckworth to announce $157 million in federal funding to complete the final phase of this important work. This investment and the new 1908 Springfield Race Riot National Monument along the project’s route will honor our history and build a bright future for our city.”

    This phase of the SRIP includes rail improvements, track realignment and the construction of a new Amtrak Station in Springfield. This project will complete the final segment of track realignment to consolidate the Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern corridors into one multitrack corridor through the city, which will advance the efforts to provide a higher speed intercity passenger rail connection between St. Louis and Chicago. In addition to various track improvements and grade crossing separations, the project will also construct a Multimodal Transportation Center to improve public transportation connectivity among intercity passenger rail, local bus service and intercity bus service.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Heinrich, Luján, Leger Fernández Welcome Over $1 Million to Break Down Barriers to Home Ownership for New Mexicans Living With HIV/AIDS

    US Senate News:

    Source: US Senator for New Mexico Ben Ray Luján

    SANTA FE, N.M. — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) welcomed $1,345,637 for the Santa Fe Housing Trust to provide more pathways to first-time home ownership to 2,050 New Mexicans living with HIV/AIDS.  

    This grant is funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) Program. The HOPWA program is the only federal program dedicated to the housing needs of people living with HIV/AIDS and their families. 

    During the domestic HIV/AIDS crisis, individuals surviving with HIV/AIDS faced barriers to employment and incurred expensive medical costs. This trend continues and disproportionately impact low-income individuals who are struggling to afford stable housing even before diagnosis and treatment. The financial and health vulnerabilities associated with HIV/AIDS often result in housing instability and homelessness. Research shows individuals living with HIV/AIDS who have a stable place to live have more positive health outcomes and spend less time in hospitals or emergency rooms. 

    “We should be making it easier for all New Mexicans to become homeowners. Full stop,” said Heinrich. “This funding will break down barriers for individuals living with HIV/AIDS to become first-time home buyers, ensuring more folks have a safe and secure place to call home. I’ll keep fighting to increase our housing stock, bring down the cost of housing, and ensure all people in our state have a shot at achieving the dream of home ownership.” 

    “No New Mexican should ever worry about whether they will have a safe place to sleep at night,” said Luján. “I’m proud to welcome more than $1.3 million in federal funding that will help allow New Mexicans living with HIV/AIDS to secure permanent, stable housing so they can focus on their health. I will continue to fight to expand housing options for all New Mexicans.” 

    “Home is more than a roof you live under, it provides safety and stability,” said Leger Fernández. “As we work to tackle the home affordability crisis across the country, we must use all tools available to help. We know one of the biggest hurdles homebuyers face is saving up for a downpayment. This $1.3 million for the Santa Fe Housing Trust will provide funding for important services like down payment reduction assistance for first-time home buyers living with HIV/AIDS. I’ll continue to fight for funding that helps our communities through legislation like my Home of Your Own Act which would also help first time homebuyers with down payment assistance.” 

    Background 

    Heinrich, Luján, and Leger Fernández are tireless advocates for lowering housing costs, increasing housing supply, and expanding housing affordability and access for families in New Mexico. 

    Through Heinrich’s role as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, particularly through his seat as Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, Heinrich has worked to deliver millions of dollars to New Mexico for renters and home buyers. 

    Most recently, Heinrich secured Committee support for the following investments in Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Appropriations: 

    In Heinrich’s Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture Appropriations Bill, he secured $1.6 billion for rental assistance, an increase of $120 million over Fiscal Year 2023. Heinrich’s 2024 Appropriations Bill also provided for a pilot program that decoupled rental assistance from Multifamily Direct Loans, preventing thousands of low-income families from losing rental assistance. 

    Additionally, Heinrich secured $1,100,000 through the Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations process for Santa Fe Habitat for Humanity to develop land into a mixed-income development focused on building 25 to 30 housing units for working families. In total, Heinrich has secured $14,500,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) for northern New Mexico to address the housing shortage. 

    In May, Heinrich, Luján, Leger Fernández, and the N.M. Congressional Delegation welcomed $11.8 million from the U.S. Department of Housing to support public housing authorities build, renovate, and modernize public housing across New Mexico. 

    In February, Heinrich, Luján, Leger Fernández, and the N.M. Congressional Delegation welcomed more than $16 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Continuum of Care program to support New Mexico projects that provide housing assistance and supportive services to people experiencing homelessness. 

    Luján has also been a champion of expanding access to affordable housing for all New Mexicans. Earlier this year, Luján partnered with Heinrich to push for more funding for Tribal housing programs. 

    Through Luján’s work on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, Luján has also fought to secure critical support for individuals living with HIV/AIDS. 

    Luján introduced the bipartisan Ryan White PrEP Availability Act, bipartisan legislation to increase flexibility for Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program clinics, which provide care and treatment for individuals living with HIV/AIDS. 

    In the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) Appropriations package, Luján secured $300,000 to advance the goals of his Oral Health Literacy Act and support the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program. 

    Heinrich and Luján have also introduced a number of bills to tackle New Mexico’s housing crisis. 

    Last month, Heinrich introduced the New Homes Tax Credit Act, legislation that would provide tax credits to incentivize new investments and additional resources for single-family home construction and renovations for working families. The bill would address the lack of housing inventory for individuals and families whose incomes are up to 120 percent of the area median income (AMI), particularly including in areas where middle-income families have historically been priced out. In Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Las Cruces, New Mexico, for example, this added housing inventory would benefit families with annual incomes of up to $103,680, $109,800, and $78,960, respectively. 

    At a recent roundtable conversation with local educators in Albuquerque, Heinrich announced his Educator Down Payment Assistance Act, legislation designed to help more educators and school staff in New Mexico purchase a home and keep teachers in the communities where they teach.   

    In March, Heinrich co-led the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act, legislation to support homeownership among lower- and middle-income Americans by establishing a refundable tax credit worth up to 10 percent of a home’s purchase price – up to a maximum of $15,000 – for first-time homebuyers.  

    Heinrich also cosponsored the Housing for All Act, comprehensive legislation to expand access to affordable housing in New Mexico and supporting those experiencing homelessness. The bill would invest in proven solutions and provide a historic level of federal funding for strategic, existing programs to keep people housed and reduce homelessness, as well as for innovative, locally developed solutions to help vulnerable populations experiencing homelessness. 

    Last year, Heinrich introduced the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act, which would help build over 14,000 new affordable homes in New Mexico over the next decade, generating over $2.5 billion in wages and business income. The legislation would support the financing of more affordable housing by expanding and strengthening the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, our country’s most successful affordable housing program.     

    Heinrich also introduced the Delivering Essential Protection, Opportunity, and Security for Tenants (DEPOSIT) Act, which would help an estimated 12,000 New Mexican families access rental housing through the Housing Choice Voucher Program to pay security deposits and get into a rental home. Luján is also a cosponsor of this bill. 

    In January, as Chairman of the U.S. Joint Economic Committee (JEC), Heinrich released a report highlighting policy approaches to increasing housing supply in America. Heinrich also chaired a JEC hearing on the report. His full opening statement can be found here. 

    Luján introduced the bipartisan Homes for Every Local Protector, Educator, and Responder Act of 2023 or the HELPER Act of 2023, legislation that would establish a new home loan program under the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to make homeownership more accessible to teachers and first responders. 

    Luján also introduced the bipartisan Reforming Disaster Recovery Act, legislation that would establish a community disaster assistance fund for housing. 

    Additionally, Luján introduced bipartisan legislation to expand Native American housing programs that builds on successful Native American housing programs at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) authorized by the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act (NAHASDA). 

    Luján and Heinrich introduced the bipartisan Native American Rural Homeownership Improvement Act of 2021, legislation that would expand an existing U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) pilot program and deploy loans to eligible Native borrowers.

    MIL OSI USA News –