NewzIntel.com

Category: US Senate

  • MIL-OSI USA: Klobuchar On Track to Visit All Minnesota’s 87 Counties By Tomorrow

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn)
    MINNESOTA –  Today Senator Amy Klobuchar met with Minnesotans in five counties as part of her commitment to visit every county in 2024. Klobuchar stopped in Baudette in Lake of the Woods County to discuss federal funding she helped secure for search and rescue equipment. In Koochiching County, Klobuchar met with the widow and colleagues of fallen Voyageurs National Park Ranger Kevin Melvin Grossheim. In Itasca County, Klobuchar toured a child care hub in Grand Rapids, and in Hubbard County, Klobuchar met with local Park Rapids officials to tour housing that was supported with federal funding. Finally, in Cass County, Klobuchar met with the mayor and local business leaders to discuss economic development and tourism.
    Tomorrow, Klobuchar will have events at American Peat Technology in Aitkin, the Cloquet Carlton County Airport in Carlton, and Lakes and Pines Community Action Council in Kanabec at which point she will have visited every one of Minnesota’s 87 counties this year.
    “One of the best parts of my job is going out across the state every year and meeting with Minnesotans,” said Klobuchar. “I get to see incredible innovation, hear inspiring stories from families, thank our first responders, and talk to local leaders about what resources they need. These stops are how I get ideas for new legislation and how I know what to prioritize in Washington to make a real difference in people’s lives.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Ruiz Celebrate Groundbreaking of Salton Sea Species Conservation Habitat Project Expansion

    US Senate News:

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

    Padilla, Ruiz Celebrate Groundbreaking of Salton Sea Species Conservation Habitat Project Expansion

    WATCH: Padilla highlights Inflation Reduction Act funding for Salton Sea habitat conservationSALTON SEA, CA — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife, and Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (D-Calif.-25) joined federal and state leaders to announce the expansion of a restoration project at the south end of the Salton Sea through the Salton Sea Management Program (SSMP). The event celebrated the groundbreaking of the expansion of the Species Conservation Habitat (SCH) Project after the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation awarded California $70 million from the Inflation Reduction Act for the project last December.
    The investment is a portion of the $250 million that Padilla, Ruiz, the late Senator Dianne Feinstein, and Representative Juan Vargas (D-Calif.-52) secured for the SSMP from funds included in the Inflation Reduction Act for drought resiliency. The federal funding commitments were made in the 2022 Commitment to Support Salton Sea Management Related to Water Conservation in the Lower Colorado River Basin Agreement.
    The expansion of the SCH Project represents a multiagency collaboration to address the ecological challenges facing the Salton Sea. The commitments made by the federal and state governments, as well as from regional agencies, will add 750 acres to the project’s footprint. This unprecedented support helps set the current project footprint at nearly 5,000 acres with the potential to expand to around 8,000 acres.
    “As the Salton Sea lakebed recedes, toxic dust is contaminating air quality and threatening the stability of the local ecosystem,” said Senator Padilla. “The $250 million in Inflation Reduction Act funding we secured for the Salton Sea Management Program is essential not only to protect public health in surrounding communities, but to restore the habitat of the abundant aquatic and avian wildlife in the region. Today’s exciting groundbreaking of the Species Conservation Habitat Project expansion will expand critical wetland habitat and improve air quality around the hazardous exposed lakebed.”
    “For years, my constituents have shared their concerns about the harmful impacts of the Salton Sea. As a physician in Congress, I have been committed to addressing this ongoing public health and environmental crisis,” said Congressman Ruiz, M.D. “Thanks to our partnership with the Biden-Harris administration and the $4 billion secured through the Inflation Reduction Act to stabilize the Colorado River Basin, we are bringing vital resources to our communities that will protect the health, environment, and economy of our region.”
    “Our largest project at the Salton Sea to suppress dust and restore habitat is getting bigger,” said Wade Crowfoot, Secretary for the California Natural Resources Agency. “The Biden-Harris Administration and our Congressional delegation delivered major funding to get this done, and it’s another step forward at the Sea. I’m proud of our partnerships and progress, while we all know much more work lies ahead.”
    “It was less than two years ago that we signed a memorandum of understanding for the Salton Sea, and here we are today breaking ground on phase two of the Species Conservation Habitat Project, on the heels of signing the largest water conservation agreement with the Imperial Irrigation District,” said Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton. “We’re grateful to our partners in the State of California, the Imperial Irrigation District Board, and farmers and growers in the Imperial and Coachella Valley for leading the way for the Sea and the Colorado River Basin.” 
    “California’s commitment to protecting the Colorado River by conserving 1.6 million acre-feet under the Lower Basin Plan would not have been possible without the leadership of the Biden-Harris administration and Commissioner Touton,” said JB Hamby, Chairman for the Colorado River Board of California. “Their historic $250 million investment in California’s Species Conservation Habitat — the largest ever for Salton Sea restoration — marks a turning point. Together, these efforts protect both the Colorado River and the Salton Sea.”
    Located at the south end of the Salton Sea, near the community of Westmorland, the project aims to restore ecological value at the Salton Sea and help protect regional air quality by
    Creating a network of ponds and wetlands;
    Providing a habitat for fish and birds that visit the Salton Sea; and
    Suppressing dust within the project area.
    In August, the Bureau of Reclamation and the Imperial Irrigation District agreed to conserve nearly 230 billion gallons of water by 2026, facilitate land access for project implementation, and provide an additional $175 million in federal funding to accelerate California’s Salton Sea restoration efforts.
    Comprised of the California Natural Resources Agency, the California Department of Water Resources, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the SSMP is implementing a 10-year plan to improve the conditions around the Salton Sea by constructing 29,800 acres of habitat and dust suppression projects while establishing a long-term pathway for the Salton Sea’s success.
    Senator Padilla worked to include $4 billion for drought resiliency and inland waterways, including for projects to address historic drought impacting the Colorado River Basin and Salton Sea, in the Inflation Reduction Act. The $250 million in federal funding Padilla secured for the SSMP allows the Department of the Interior to contribute to vital restoration projects at the Salton Sea, including to expedite existing projects that the State of California and California water users are contributing to, like the SCH Project. Last Congress, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee advanced Padilla and Senator Feinstein’s Salton Sea Projects Improvements Act to give the Interior Department additional authorities to invest in Salton Sea ecological improvement projects and address the public health and environmental crises at the Salton Sea. Padilla also applauded the Department of the Interior last year for awarding approximately $367 million to California partners to protect the Colorado River Basin, including to restore the Salton Sea.
    Additional photos from the event are available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Grassley Demands VP Harris Own Up for Failures as Border Czar

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley

    BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA – U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) wrote Vice President Kamala Harris asking questions about the policy decisions she has made in her role overseeing border issues for the Biden administration, as well as the dangerous consequences and crimes that have ensued as a result.

    “Every community is a border community because the Biden-Harris administration has refused to enforce our immigration laws,” Grassley today said of his letter. “The federal government’s number one job is to keep its citizens safe. By reversing the effective border security policies of the Trump administration, the Biden-Harris administration has done the very opposite of protecting American citizens.”

    Grassley on a radio call this morning cited the following actions, among others, the Biden-Harris administration has taken that have weakened U.S. national security and made innocent Americans targets of otherwise preventable crimes: 

    • Ordering the Defense Department to stop building the southern border wall;
    • Blocking $2 billion previously allocated for barrier construction; and
    • Ending the Trump-era “Remain in Mexico” program.

    Click HERE for audio of Grassley discussing his letter to Vice President Harris. The full letter is available HERE and below. 

    Vice President Kamala D. Harris

    The White House

    Office of the Vice President

    1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

    Washington, D.C. 20500

    Dear Vice President Harris:

    In one of your first official public appearances, you joined President Biden in the Oval Office when he opined on the Trump administration’s immigration and border policies. President Biden dismissed the previous administration’s policies as “counterproductive to our security,” “harmful,” and a “moral and national shame.” 

    Since your first day in office, you and President Biden have worked to dismantle the Trump-era border policies and halted further construction of the border wall. The presidential proclamation terminating construction read, in part: “It shall be the policy of my Administration that no more American taxpayer dollars be diverted to construct a border wall.” This initiated a so-called “careful review of all resources appropriated or redirected to construct a southern border wall.” By April 2021, the Department of Defense (DOD) announced the cancellation of border barrier projects. In June of the same year, the Biden-Harris administration returned $2 billion to the DOD previously allocated for the purpose of border wall construction. Your administration also initiated a review of the Remain in Mexico policy, which Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Mayorkas subsequently ended in June 2021.

    Meanwhile, every fiscal year throughout your engagements, crossings from Mexico and the

    Northern Triangle markedly exceeded any year of the Trump administration. Despite the stark increase from those nations and many others, deportations and returns overall have decreased as a share of crossings. 

    Now, you are engaging in a numbers racket, telling Americans modest decreases in encounters from soaring, record highs is somehow proof that what your administration has been doing all along is working. It is not. 

    President Biden’s executive order—more than three years after your administration’s reckless reversal of key policies—is an implicit admission that he and you bear ultimate responsibility for this crisis and this disastrous approach. As a result of these slow-walked changes, our national security has been undermined and the safety of our communities has been threatened all across the country. 

    Due to the Biden-Harris administration’s failure to achieve adequate border security, illegal immigrants, including those entering from Mexico and the Northern Triangle, have been able to perpetrate heinous acts against innocent American citizens. For example:

    • On May 14, 2024, an 18-year-old Honduran national, who purportedly entered the United States illegally in April 2022, pled guilty to sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl in Waterloo, Iowa.
    • On April 2, 2024, a Honduran national, who was previously convicted of sexual assaulting a woman in Connecticut and deported, was charged for failing to register as a sex offender. He was reportedly able to re-enter the United States undetected by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and subsequently was arrested twice before being charged.
    • On February 25, 2024, a 19-year-old Honduran national was arrested for the alleged rape and aggravated assault of a 14-year-old girl at knifepoint in Louisiana. He entered the United States illegally in October 2023.
    • On May 4, 2024, a Guatemalan national was arrested for allegedly kidnapping and sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl in a van in Palm Beach County, Florida. He reportedly entered the United States illegally in January 2024, was given an immigration hearing date in 2027, and was released by DHS.
    • On June 26, 2024, a Guatemalan national was charged with alleged sexually battery of a 14-year-old girl in Okaloosa County, Florida. He was deported on February 9, 2024, before this incident, but was able to re-enter the United States untraced days later.
    • On May 8, 2024, an El Salvadoran migrant was arrested for allegedly murdering a woman and the malicious assault of two homeless individuals with a baseball bat in West Virginia. He had an extensive criminal history and was in prison in El Salvador for over twenty years for “DUI [driving under the influence], sexual assault/murder, aggravated robbery, and narcotics related crimes.” Law enforcement believes he illegally entered the United States shortly after his release from prison.

    This is just a snapshot from this year alone of the sorts of preventable tragedies, which have become all too common across the United States.

    The Biden-Harris administration’s policies—pulling resources, reversing Remain in Mexico, and stopping wall construction—are largely to blame for our open and unsafe border over the last three-and-a-half years. Because of your actions and inactions, every state is now a border state and every community is a border community.

    Given your role as the leader of engagement with this region, which the media has colloquially dubbed as “Border Czar” or “Root Causes Czar,” I ask that you provide answers to the following immigration and border policy questions by October 24, 2024.

    1. Have you engaged with your international counterparts regarding violence perpetrated against innocent Americans by citizens of their countries? Have you raised this concern with any counterpart(s)? If so, what concerns were raised and when? What was their response?
    2. In light of the Biden-Harris administration’s ending of Remain in Mexico in 2021, what data can you provide suggesting migration from Mexico has been “stemmed” as you were tasked with accomplishing prior to 2024?
    3. In February 2024, the Biden-Harris administration endorsed a proposal that, among other provisions, included a requirement that a few hundred million dollars in unspent funds be used specifically for border wall construction. As noted above, the Biden-Harris administration previously returned $2 billion allocated for the purpose of building a border wall. Did the Biden-Harris administration ever consider reversing course regarding this funding? If not, why not? If so, why has no discernable action been taken to that end?
    4. The Biden-Harris administration has auctioned off some $300 million worth of unused border wall materials for mere pennies on the dollar. Why did the Biden-Harris administration endorse a proposal asking Congress to require them to use hundreds of millions of unspent dollars for border wall construction after deciding to sit on hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of unused supplies instead of building the wall?

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Thanks to Rosen-Backed Law, Nevada Seniors Can Now Sign Up for Plan to Make it Easier to Pay for Prescription Drug Costs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
    Senator Rosen Helped Pass Legislation To Cap Seniors’ Out-Of-Pocket Prescription Drug Costs And Allow Them To Pay In Monthly Installments
    LAS VEGAS, NV – Starting today, thanks to legislation that U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) helped pass, Nevada seniors can sign up for a Medicare plan to make it easier for them to pay for prescription drugs in monthly installments, beginning in January. The Rosen-backed Inflation Reduction Act will cap Medicare Part D beneficiaries’ total out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs at no more than $2,000 a year, and it will allow them to opt-in to the new Medicare Prescription Payment Plan to spread out any out-of-pocket costs over several months. For more information, visit: http://www.medicare.gov/prescription-payment-plan. 
    “I was proud to help pass historic legislation to give Medicare the power to negotiate lower prescription drug costs, cap out-of-pocket costs, and increase payment flexibility to lower the burden on our seniors,” said Senator Rosen. “Starting today, Medicare beneficiaries can sign up for the new Medicare Prescription Payment Plan to spread out payment of their out-of-pocket drug costs over several months. I’ll keep working in the Senate to lower costs for hardworking Nevadans.”
    Senator Rosen has been leading the fight to lower prescription drug costs. Last month, she joined her colleagues in filing an amicus brief supporting the federal law they helped pass to give Medicare the power to negotiate for lower prescription drug prices. Earlier this year, Senator Rosen introduced bipartisan legislation to lower out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for seniors. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, Senator Rosen helped lower prescription drug costs for seniors, lower health care premiums, and cap the insulin costs for those on Medicare Part D at $35/month per prescription.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Photos: Rubio Visits Charlotte County Post-hurricane Milton

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Florida Marco Rubio

    Photos: Rubio Visits Charlotte County Post-hurricane Milton

    Oct 15, 2024 | Press Releases

    Following Hurricane Milton’s catastrophic impact on communities throughout Florida, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) met with Charlotte County emergency management personnel, local officials, and small business owners to discuss the storm’s impact and current recovery efforts.

    Photo courtesy of Senator Rubio’s office.

    Senator Rubio meets with emergency management personnel at the Charlotte County Emergency Operations Center. 

    Senator Rubio meets with constituents in Charlotte County. 

    Senator Rubio discusses Hurricane recovery with Punta Gorda Mayor Lynne Matthews and River City Grill and River City Italia owners Doug and Diane Ameral.

    Senator Rubio surveys damage at Leroy’s in Charlotte County.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Grassley Stands Up for Iowa Farmers, Calls Out Biden-Harris Ag Failures

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
    BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA – U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a lifelong family farmer and a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, is sharing Iowa farmers’ concerns regarding the Biden-Harris administration’s approach to agriculture, energy and trade. 
    “Farmers are struggling to stay afloat thanks to falling profitability, sky high input costs and burdensome regulations,” Grassley said of his letter to President Biden and Vice President Harris. “In order to forge a better future for farmers, Washington needs to listen to the real-world experience of those with dirt under their fingernails. I’m demanding the Biden-Harris administration wake up to the challenges our farmers are facing.”
    Grassley’s letter shines light on President Biden and Vice President Harris’ harmful ag and trade policies, including:
    Grassley is urging President Biden and Vice President Harris to prioritize agricultural issues and lend farmers a helping hand by issuing timely, science-backed guidance on the 45Z Clean Fuels tax credit and expanding market access.
    Download audio of Grassley discussing his letter HERE. Read the full letter HERE and below.
    Monday, October 14, 2024
    The Honorable Joseph R. Biden
    President of the United States
    1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
    Washington, DC 20500
    Dear President Biden and Vice President Harris,
    I am writing to express my concerns regarding the impact of your administration’s policies on the agricultural community. As a lifelong family farmer, I know first-hand the decisions made at the federal level have far-reaching consequences. It is critical that these decisions support, rather than hinder, our farmers. 
    Many aspects of farming have changed over the last four years of your administration. Unfortunately, the most important aspect of farming, profitability, has declined. In 2021, net farm cash income for the United States was around $176 billion. This year, 2024, net farm cash income is estimated to be down to $154 billion. As any farmer could tell you, if you aren’t profitable, you won’t be farming for long. I would like to take this opportunity to address areas where I believe your administration has fallen short in supporting the agriculture sector.
    First, under your administration the regulatory environment has become increasingly burdensome. Farmers and businesses alike have faced a host of new regulations that complicate their operations and drive up costs. For example, your changes to the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule, would have covered over 90 percent or the State of lowa and made the government involved in any land management decision for farmers, developers, and businesses such as golf courses. Thankfully, all nine Supreme Court justices agreed that the Environmental Protection Agency’s expansive regulatory efforts violated the Clean Water Act.
    From electric vehicle mandates to overly complicated strategies for herbicides and insecticides, farmers are concerned that these regulations will impose additional compliance costs and restrictions on their ability to manage their land effectively. This is also seen clearly in the Department of Treasury’s guidance for the 40B sustainable aviation fuel tax credit. Instead of enabling farmers to benefit from science-backed farming practices that work for them, your administration’s guidance restricted American farmers and benefitted foreign feedstocks. While I understand the need for sustainable practices, pushing farmers to specific farming practices can undermine the autonomy of farmers to make decisions that best suit their unique circumstances, and edge them out of new markets.
    Trade policy is another area where your administration has missed the mark. The lack of new trade agreements and uncertainty around tariffs has left the United States agriculture sector with a record estimated $30.5 billion trade deficit this year. In March, I joined 21 of my Senate colleagues in a letter to Ambassador Tai and Secretary Vilsack to ask if your administration intended to pursue any new free trade agreements. As my colleagues and I expressed at that time, the increased deficit is, “exacerbated by an unambitious U.S. trade strategy that is failing to meaningfully expand market access or reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade.” Though your administration has acted in trade disputes and other areas, it has been based on previous trade agreements established before your administration. The lack of a comprehensive strategy to expand market access for American agricultural products has been frustrating for farmers who rely on exporting their products to sustain their livelihoods.
    Lastly, I urge your administration to prioritize these important issues in the agricultural community. There are still important steps that you can take to support farmers. Issuing timely guidance on the 45Z clean fuels tax credit would help provide certainty to farmers looking to market the grain they are currently harvesting. Allowing farmers a seat at the table for 45Z guidance and reducing the complicated and unworkable structure from 40B would go a long way in ensuring farmers maintain their autonomy in farming practices.
    Thank you for your attention to these important issues. I look forward to your response and hope that in the coming months you work to support our farmers who continue to contribute to the nation’s food security, fuel independence, and economic stability.
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 10.15.2024 Cruz, Cornyn, Tillis, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Stop Biden-Harris Amnesty Program

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas Ted Cruz

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) to introduce the Visa Integrity Preservation Act, which would close a loophole in current immigration law that the Biden-Harris administration exploited to grant amnesty to illegal immigrants who have entered the United States without inspection or overstayed a visa.
    Upon introduction, Sen. Cruz said, “The Biden-Harris administration has failed to secure our southern border and politically exploits the crisis they’ve created. What they call their ‘keep families together’ agenda is being used as a loophole to allow illegal immigrants to bypass our legal immigration process, granting amnesty to 500,000 illegal aliens. We must send a clear message that the United States will not tolerate any manipulation of our immigration laws. That is why I am proud to join Senators Cornyn, Tillis, and several of my Republican colleagues to stop this exploitation of our immigration system.”
    Sens. Cruz, Cornyn, and Tillis were joined by Sens. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) in introducing the bill.
    BACKGROUND
    Current U.S. immigration laws do not allow illegal immigrants who overstay their visas to reenter the United States for up to 10 years if they leave, and those who illegally enter the U.S. are not allowed to reenter at all. The law also requires that temporary visa applicants interview abroad at a U.S. consulate before they can receive their visas, so illegal immigrants are not eligible to regularize their status using the temporary visa programs. The law does allow the U.S. Secretary of State to waive the consular interview requirement, but only on a case-by-case basis in the national interest of the United States or in emergency situations.
    In June 2024, the Biden-Harris administration announced a new initiative to grant amnesty to over half a million illegal immigrants, including spouses of American citizens. As part of that initiative, President Biden and Vice President Harris waived the consular interview requirement for nonimmigrant visas, enabling immigrants who have illegally entered the U.S. or overstayed a visa to obtain temporary work visas. The Biden-Harris administration’s decision to waive this policy encroaches on Congress’s authority and threatens to transform nonimmigrant visa programs into a tool to provide amnesty to illegal immigrants.
    The Visa Integrity Preservation Act would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to clarify that immigrants who have entered the U.S. illegally or overstayed a visa for more than 180 days are not eligible for a waiver of the in-person consular interview requirement and would instead be required under all circumstances to depart the U.S. for an interview before they could receive a nonimmigrant visa. Under existing law, they are barred from reentering the U.S. upon presenting for inspection at a Port of Entry.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Markey Maps Need for Climate Action and Highlights Federal Investments in Massachusetts Climate Resilience, Following Extreme Weather Events Across the Country

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey

    Calls for more investment in resilient schools and hospitals and for a federal climate emergency declaration

    WATCH: Senator Markey, advocates discuss climate resilience

    Senator Markey joined by City Councilor Gabriela “Gigi” Coletta Zapata; Brian Swett, Boston’s Chief Climate Officer; Dwaign Tyndal, Executive Director of Alternatives for Community and Environment (ACE); and John Walkey, Noemy Rodriguez, and Roseann Bongiovanni from GreenRoots.

    Boston (October 15, 2024) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today was joined in Boston by local officials and advocates to call for increased federal investment to bolster the climate resilience of regions at risk of sea level rise – exacerbated by devastation from climate change-fueled storms, as well as highlight ongoing resiliency projects in Massachusetts, following two devastating hurricanes in the southeastern United States that are expected to cost $300 billion and have resulted in more than 250 deaths. Senator Markey announced that over the past two years, Boston, Chelsea, and Revere have already secured more than $75 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act for resiliency projects that include building resilient transportation corridors in Roxbury, greening the Chelsea Creek waterfront, and making the MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority) Blue Line more flood resistant. In total, Massachusetts has secured approximately $200 million for climate resiliency projects from those two laws so far. Senator Markey was joined by Brian Swett, Chief Climate Officer for the City of Boston; Boston City Councilor Gabriela Coletta Zapata; Roseann Bongiovanni, Noemy Rodriguez, and John Walkey from GreenRoots; and Dwaign Tyndal, Executive Director of Alternatives for Community and Environment (ACE).

    “If we don’t drive down our emissions as a country, we could see more than six feet of sea level rise by the end of the century. That’s sunny-day flooding in neighborhoods from East Boston to Back Bay. TD Garden wouldn’t be flooded with a sea of fans—it would be flooded by the sea itself. Back Bay will go back to the bay,” said Senator Markey. “Our task is twofold. One, cut climate pollution by ushering in a clean energy revolution unlike any we’ve seen before, dismantling our dependence on fossil fuels. And two, prepare for the future by investing in resilient buildings and strong communities. Thanks in part to the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are well on our way to meet that second goal. In Massachusetts, we don’t wait, we create.”

    “Chelsea and East Boston, the two communities that we serve at GreenRoots, are frontline environmental justice communities that are disproportionately impacted by environmental assault. On a daily basis, environmental justice communities throughout the United States and in the Global South face increased frequency of severe storms, storm surge, sea level rise, drought, heat island impacts, wildfires and much more. We need federal leadership like that of Senator Markey’s to prioritize policies and investments in climate resilience and climate justice, an end to fossil fuel use, and implementing greater renewable, resilient energy,” said Roseann Bongiovanni, Executive Director of GreenRoots.

    “Many of the people here have immigrated as a result of natural disasters in their home countries, and with climate change, we know that natural disasters are only going to be increasing in number. When this happens, we need to ask the questions, ‘Where are we going to go? What is going to happen to us?’ These are the questions and worries that many of us have, not just for East Boston, but all over the country. We are the first generation feeling the effects of climate change and we may be the last generation that can do something about it,” said Noemy Rodriguez, Waterfront Initiative Organizer at GreenRoots.

    “We know that when climate change happens, the least among us are the first affected and the worst affected. We frequently say that people are a paycheck away from disaster. According to FEMA, just an inch of floodwater in a home causes roughly about $25,000 in damages. There are over 400,000 Massachusetts residents living in the hundred-year flood zone which means more than a one in four chance of having a flood during a 30-year mortgage period. If home ownership is the route to generational wealth that we would leave to the next generation, we need to be planning and prepared for this,” said John Walkey, Director of Climate Justice & Waterfront Initiatives.

    “Boston is deeply grateful for Senator Markey’s unwavering leadership in securing critical federal funds that are bolstering our city’s climate resilience. Thanks to our partners in the federal government, Boston has secured over $60 million in grants for coastal resilience projects helping us protect our neighborhoods from rising sea levels and extreme storms. However, with the increasing frequency of extreme weather, much more work remains, and additional funding is essential to fully safeguard our city and its most vulnerable communities,” said Brian Swett, Chief Climate Officer for the City of Boston.

    “We have a moral obligation to move quickly to identify all strategies and tools that are at our disposal to ensure that Boston’s forty-seven-mile coastline is resilient and to protect these residents. I want to thank Senator Markey for his leadership in the Senate, and President Biden’s leadership in securing these necessary federal funds that Boston is now being awarded, which will help protect our communities. This is our next big challenge. We need the resources, capital, and collaboration to adequately protect Boston. We need the vital investments coming down the pike from the federal government in both green and gray infrastructure to protect our future. I am hopeful, with the level of partnership and leadership on display here across all levels of government, advocacy groups and philanthropy, and I know that we will continue to lean in and get it done,” said Boston City Councilor Gabriela “Gigi” Coletta Zapata.

    “This is a reminder, a call to arms, a warning and a reality check. We may have more resources than imagination to deal with this issue. We have all the policy, the information, and the possible solutions. The struggle now is to push beyond our imagination to do what we need to get this done. This is not going to be a part of the political cycle, or fundraising cycles, but part of the continual struggle and persistence that many of us are here today are taking part in,” said Dwaign Tyndal, Executive Director of Alternatives for Community and Environment (ACE).

    The destruction of extreme weather events is disproportionately felt by Black, Brown, low-income, and immigrant communities, who are burdened by historical disinvestment and the compounded effects of legacy pollution and dangerous infrastructure sited in their neighborhoods. Under the Biden-Harris administration, including through the historic Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, federal funding has come to Massachusetts to help prevent the worsening impacts of climate change and support the Commonwealth’s climate resilience efforts, but continued federal investment in resiliency and clean energy will be needed to help avoid worsening disasters and billion-dollar storm recoveries in the future.  

    Senator Markey has been working to ensure that Massachusetts is climate resilient and prepared for extreme weather events, which are only increasing in frequency due to climate change. On October 4, Senator Markey joined Mayor Jennifer Macksey for a briefing on the Hoosic River Flood Mitigation Study, a project that aims to evaluate potential flood risk reduction measures and support development of a new flood mitigation system built with 21st-century engineering standards. Senator Markey led the effort to get the study included in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), advocated for $750,000 in funding for the Army Corps of Engineers this year, and has secured $950,000 in the pending appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25).

    In September, Senator Markey announced a grant of $472 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to the MBTA to fully replace the North Station Draw One Bridge and renovate Platform F at North Station. The grant is the largest federal award the MBTA has won to date. The nearly half a billion-dollar grant will provide critical support for one of MBTA’s top priority projects and a vital transportation asset to MBTA’s north-side operations. It will also support more than 14,500 jobs, make the bridge more climate resilient by bringing it above projected sea-level rise, and lower emissions. 

    In August, on the second anniversary of the historic Inflation Reduction Act, Senator Markey launched his Climate Hub, a centralized site with resources to help stakeholders navigate opportunities from both the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Together, these two laws have created the largest and most significant climate and clean energy investments in history, putting the United States on a path to address the climate crisis, repair historic harms to disadvantaged communities, create good-paying union jobs in the clean energy economy, and work towards a Green New Deal future.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cramer Attends Send-Off Ceremony for Members of the 142nd Engineer Battalion

    US Senate News:

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

    ***Click here for media resources.***

    VALLEY CITY, N.D. – The North Dakota National Guard (NDNG) held a ceremony today to send off members of the 142nd Engineer Battalion being deployed to Fort Bliss, Texas, in support of Joint Task Force North. The joint service command is tasked with supporting federal law enforcement agencies in the “identification and interdiction of suspected criminal activities conducted within and along the approaches to the continental United States.”

    U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, participated in the ceremony and expressed his gratitude for the members of the unit.

    “Protecting the homeland is the highest priority of the United States Armed Forces, and no one protects ours better than the soldiers of the North Dakota National Guard,” said Cramer. “Helping send off the heroes of the storied 142nd Engineer Battalion as they deploy for their mission in support of federal law enforcement agencies is an honor of a lifetime, and I get to do it on behalf of grateful North Dakotans and Americans everywhere. As I do for all of our service members and their families, I pray for a successful mission and a safe return home. They are the best of the best, and I look forward to their homecoming.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Shaheen Welcomes USS Manchester Crew, Joins for Visit with Manchester West High School NJROTC Students

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen

    Published: 10.15.2024

    (Manchester, NH) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee and the Ship Sponsor for the USS Manchester, welcomed crew members, including Commander Ralph Lufkin, back to Manchester and joined them for a visit with Manchester West High School Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) students. The USS Manchester crew members delivered a presentation to the NJROTC students and other faculty and students on the ship’s recent deployment, Navy career opportunities and the importance of civic duty. Photos from today’s event can be found here. 
    “I was excited to welcome members of the crew of the USS Manchester back to their ship’s namesake city, and to join them in speaking to Manchester West High School’s Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps students,” said Senator Shaheen. “As future defenders of freedom and the epitome of civic duty, I was pleased these aspiring Naval cadets were able to meet and speak with Commander Lufkin and some of his crew.”  
    As the Ship Sponsor of the USS Manchester, Shaheen led the Ship’s Commissioning in Portsmouth in May 2018 and is considered a permanent member of the ship’s crew. The USS Manchester is part of the Independence Class of Littoral Combat Ships. These ships are designed to face asymmetrical threats in shallow areas of coastlines and primarily perform surface warfare, antisubmarine warfare and mine countermeasures. 

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Reverend Warnock, Georgia Delegation Colleagues Demand EPA Regulate BioLab Chemicals Following Latest Incident at Conyers Facility

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia

    Senator Reverend Warnock, Georgia Delegation Colleagues Demand EPA Regulate BioLab Chemicals Following Latest Incident at Conyers Facility

    Senator Reverend Warnock is calling on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to strengthen federal oversight of facilities manufacturing or storing certain hazardous chemicals 
    Senator Reverend Warnock joined Senator Jon Ossoff in the bicameral push with Representatives Hank Johnnson, David Scott, Lucy McBath, and Nikema Williams
    ICYMI from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Georgia congressional leaders demand EPA scrutiny of BioLab chemicals
    Senator Reverend Warnock, lawmakers: “Given TCCA’s involvement in multiple safety incidents due to its highly reactive properties, we urge the EPA to include it on the list of regulated substances under the Risk Management Program (RMP)”
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) led a bicameral push to urge the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to strengthen federal oversight of facilities manufacturing or storing certain hazardous chemicals in the wake of the latest incident at the BioLab plant in Conyers. 
    Leading alongside Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Congressman Hank Johnson (D-GA-04), and joined by U.S. House Representatives David Scott (D-GA-13), Lucy McBath (D-GA-07) and Nikema Williams (D-GA-05), Senator Warnock sent a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan urging the agency to enhance federal oversight of facilities that manufacture and/or store the hazardous chemical Trichloroisocyanuric Acid (TCCA), which is at the heart of the incident at the BioLab plant in Conyers. The environmental and public health crisis that has been ongoing since September 29.
    “We are concerned that facilities like BioLab Conyers, which manufacture and/or store TCCA are improperly managing these substances,” the lawmakers wrote. “When not handled correctly, these chemicals can contaminate local air, water, and soil, posing severe public health risks which include respiratory issues, skin irritations, and long-term conditions like lung and heart disease.”
    Specifically, the lawmakers urge the EPA to “include it on the list of regulated substances under the Risk Management Program (RMP),” which would prompt federal and state agencies to develop more effective safety protocols and management strategies, ensuring stricter adherence to safety standards for facilities handling this chemical.
    “The gravity of this situation underscores the need for changes to the federal and state regulatory systems,” concluded the lawmakers.
    The lawmakers are also requesting the agency respond to nine key questions surrounding the reactive chemical in question.
    Read the letter HERE or below.
    The Honorable Michael Regan
    Administrator 
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
    1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
    Washington, DC 20460
    Dear Administrator Regan,
    We are writing to urge the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to take immediate action to enhance federal oversight of facilities that manufacture and/or store the hazardous chemical Trichloroisocyanuric Acid (TCCA). 
    On September 29, 2024, just after Hurricane Helene slammed the area, a catastrophic chemical fire took place at the BioLab facility in Conyers, Georgia, that stores TCCA. The fire released a large, billowing plume of hazardous, toxic gasses into the air, which caused the closure of parts of Interstate 20 for nearly 17 hours, with local businesses and government offices forced to close while 17,000 residents living near the plant were forced to evacuate.  
    As of today, toxic substances continue to rise into the air from the smoldering ruins of the plant, with corporate and government officials being unable to offer a specific timetable as to when the danger will end.   People not just in the immediate vicinity of the plant but also millions across southeastern metropolitan Atlanta are under constant exposure to hazardous air quality. This incident has raised serious concerns about the community’s vulnerability to toxic chemical exposure. The danger is heightened by approaching rain which will douse the collapsed building under which millions of pounds of TCCA remain exposed to moisture.
    BioLab, a division of KIK Consumer Products, manufactures and stores millions of pounds of chemical mixtures primarily composed of TCCA at the Conyers, Georgia facility. When TCCA comes into contact with small amounts of water, a hazardous chemical reaction is triggered that generates heat and causes decomposition of the chemical and can in turn produces toxic chlorine gas and can also produce explosive nitrogen trichloride. The Conyers BioLab facility has experienced three separate chemical incidents in the past seven years, four in the past 20. Each event resulted in dangerous chemical reactions and fires, releasing toxic gases like chlorine into the air.
    There have been conflicting reports on what caused the most recent fire at the Conyers facility. One report cited water used to douse a fire on the roof of the plant seeping in, while another report blames the fire on a malfunctioning sprinkler system. Rainwater from Hurricane Helene seeping into the BioLab facility during and after Hurricane Helene has not been ruled out as a cause as well.
    We are concerned that facilities like BioLab Conyers, which manufacture and/or store TCCA are improperly managing these substances. When not handled correctly, these chemicals can contaminate local air, water, and soil, posing severe public health risks which include respiratory issues, skin irritations, and long-term conditions like lung and heart disease.
    A similar incident occurred on August 27, 2020, at the Lake Charles BioLab facility in Westlake, Louisiana, in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura. The facility sustained severe damage after TCCA manufactured and stored therein was moistened by small amounts of water and decomposed, producing toxic chlorine gas and nitrogen trichloride. These gases ignited, causing a fire and noxious clouds of toxic gases. The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazardous Investigation Board (CSB) investigated the incident and issued safety recommendations to minimize the consequences of future accidental chemical releases like the Lake Charles incident.
    The 2023 (CSB) report on BioLab Lake Charles found a regulatory gap regarding the oversight of chemicals like TCCA, particularly in their classification and management under existing federal regulations. Given TCCA’s involvement in multiple safety incidents due to its highly reactive properties, we urge the EPA to include it on the list of regulated substances under the Risk Management Program (RMP).
    This action will prompt federal and state agencies to develop more effective safety protocols and management strategies, ensuring stricter adherence to safety standards for facilities handling this chemical. We hope the Conyers debacle will prompt the inclusion of TCCA to the Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
    We call on the EPA to collaborate with states to implement training programs specifically designed for emergency responders and facility staff. These programs should address the unique challenges posed by reactive chemicals that adversely react to water used to extinguish fires, focusing on appropriate firefighting techniques, chemical behavior, and risk assessment. The EPA, in partnership with state fire marshals and chemical safety experts, can establish comprehensive guidelines for fire suppression techniques tailored to reactive chemicals, including recommendations for effective alternative extinguishing agents, such as dry chemical extinguishers or foam.
    Considering these concerns, we respectfully request clarification by November 20, 2024, on the following matters regarding regulatory oversight and preventative measures at chemical facilities like BioLab: 
    1. Has the EPA, in conjunction with the State of Georgia, initiated any investigations or inspections regarding BioLab Conyers’ compliance with federal environmental and chemical safety and risk management standards following its incidents since 2020?
    2. What immediate actions are the EPA and State agencies taking in response to this latest fire, given the history of public safety concerns at the Conyers facility?
    3. The 2023 Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) found that TCCA and TCCA-based formulations are not covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard. Has there been any progress in addressing this regulatory gap?
    4. Following the BioLab Conyers incident, is the EPA considering adding TCCA to the list of regulated substances under the Risk Management Program (RMP)?
    5. How is the EPA collaborating with state agencies to ensure that chemical facilities like BioLab Conyers are prepared for extreme weather events that could worsen fire hazards or hazardous material spills?
    6. In response to BioLab Conyers’ repeated safety failures, what specific measures will the EPA implement with state agencies to improve fire preparedness protocols, particularly for training facility staff and local emergency responders on handling fires involving non-water extinguishable substances?
    7. Does the EPA anticipate monitoring potential groundwater, soil, and water contamination from the chemical fire at the Conyers BioLab facility?
    8. We understand that the EPA is working to monitor air quality following the chemical fire. What steps has the EPA taken to inform affected communities of their findings and recommendations to safeguard the health and safety of these communities and their environment?
    a.How have the locations and spatial extent of the EPA’s air quality monitoring area changed as the location and direction of the smoke plume has shifted?
    9. What specific additional authority and resources does the EPA need to effectively prevent future incidents at chemical facilities like BioLab Conyers?
    The gravity of this situation underscores the need for changes to the federal and state regulatory systems. We look forward to your prompt response and urge robust, decisive measures to address the serious environmental and safety concerns posed by incidents like this.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Marshall Launches Medicare Open Enrollment 2024 Webpage for Kansas Seniors

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall
    Topeka, KS – Medicare open enrollment is now open and continues through December 7th, 2024. This period is Kansas seniors’ opportunity to change their Medicare benefits if they determine action is necessary. 
    U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. has launched a new webpage to help Kansas seniors navigate the Medicare open enrollment season. Kansas seniors can use this webpage to research Medicare benefit plans, find resources for benefits counseling, learn about avoiding scams, and read about other important information related to Medicare open enrollment. 
    “Our office stands ready to point Kansas seniors in the right direction this Medicare open enrollment season,” Senator Marshall said. “If seniors are happy with their plan, they can keep it without doing anything. For seniors who want to change their Medicare coverage, now is the time. I encourage seniors to do their research and take their time. Consult with your doctor, local hospital, and community pharmacist about how changes will impact your care. Utilize the available state and federal Medicare resources and ask them questions. Taking these steps will ensure you pick the plan that is best for you.”
    Kansas seniors with questions about open enrollment or Medicare in general can call Senator Marshall’s Salina office to speak with a casework specialist. The Salina office can be reached at 785-829-9000.
    Click HERE or on the image below to access Senator Marshall’s Medicare open enrollment webpage.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell, Murray, Smith, Larsen Send Letter to Boeing, Unions

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
    10.15.24
    Cantwell, Murray, Smith, Larsen Send Letter to Boeing, Unions
    SEATTLE, WA – Today, U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Patty Murray (D-WA), chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined U.S. Representatives Adam Smith (D, WA-09), ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, and Rick Larsen (D, WA-02), ranking member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, in calling for Boeing and the machinists unions to reach a mutually beneficial resolution to the month long strike.
    The full text of the letter to Kelly Ortberg, president and chief executive officer of The Boeing Company, Jon Holden, IAM District 751 president, and Brandon Bryant, IAM District W24 president is HERE and below.
    Dear Mr. Ortberg, Mr. Holden, and Mr. Bryant:
    We are writing about the contract negotiations between the Boeing Company and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Districts 751 and W24. With the machinist strike now lasting well over a month, and with no further talks currently scheduled, we urge you to redouble your efforts to reach a mutually beneficial resolution.
    With over 42,000 single-aisle and wide body commercial aircraft projected to be manufactured over the next twenty years, valued at $8 trillion, now is the time to rebuild the historic partnership between management and workers in order to restore Boeing’s reputation for engineering and manufacturing excellence. This will require investing in next generation manufacturing techniques, innovative new materials, and providing workers with wages and benefits that acknowledge the essential and irreplaceable work they perform for the Company.
    IAM 751 and W24 represent a vital workforce in the Pacific Northwest and for nearly a century have made it possible for Boeing to produce aircraft that fly millions of passengers each day, connecting communities and economies around the world. With these contributions in mind, we hope you will expeditiously work out a fair and durable deal that recognizes the importance of the machinist workforce to Boeing’s future, the aerospace economy of the Pacific Northwest, and the nation.
    Thank you for your attention to this matter, we look forward to your timely response.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy Statement On Deteriorating Humanitarian Situation In Gaza

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    October 15, 2024

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia and Counterterrorism, on Tuesday released a statement following reports that no food aid has entered northern Gaza in more than two weeks, putting one million displaced Palestinians at risk of starvation. On Sunday, the Biden Administration sent a letter to senior Israeli officials warning that if conditions in Gaza do not improve within 30 days, the U.S. may consider restricting military assistance to Israel. 
    “I am deeply disturbed by the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and it is vital for Israel to take immediate steps to improve these nightmarish conditions. Despite some improvements by Israeli authorities earlier this year, the amount of humanitarian aid reaching desperate Palestinians has fallen to new lows at a time when needs are higher than ever. After more than a year of conflict, the actions required to surge humanitarian aid into Gaza are both known and achievable – as demonstrated by the recent successful campaign to vaccinate more than half a million Palestinian children against polio. The way Israel conducts this war matters, and the Israeli government has to do more to guarantee the safety of humanitarian aid workers and ensure sufficient aid is reaching Palestinians across all parts of Gaza. Israel, along with every other recipient of U.S. military aid, is required to abide by international humanitarian law for that assistance to continue. The Biden-Harris Administration took the right step this week by laying out clear changes that Israel must make in the next 30 days to stay in compliance with U.S. law.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: BPA Investing Approximately $3 Billion in PacNW Electricity Grid Using Cantwell-Led Authorization

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
    10.15.24
    BPA Investing Approximately $3 Billion in PacNW Electricity Grid Using Cantwell-Led Authorization
    Cantwell: “Bringing more affordable clean power online is the key to holding down electricity costs.”
    EDMONDS, WA – The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) announced today it is moving forward with approximately $3 billion in electricity grid improvement projects that will significantly increase the capacity and reliability of the Pacific Northwest grid and its ability to integrate new energy sources. This announcement adds to the $2 billion in grid upgrades BPA announced in July 2023, both investments enabled by the increased borrowing authority Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) included in the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. 
    In Central Washington these upgrades include expanding the capacity of the existing Coulee-Olympia 287 kV circuit to 500 kV, looping in the Columbia line with a new 500 kV substation, and reconductoring some adjacent transmission lines. In Western Washington, BPA will be rebuilding the Schultz-Olympia portion of the Coulee-Olympia by also increasing its capacity from 287 kV to 500 kV, along with installing some necessary new transformers and shunt capacitors. A 500 kV line can typically carry 3-5 times more power than a 287 kV line. The remaining grid investments will occur in Oregon. 
    “I commend Bonneville for expanding our region’s transmission capacity using the tools we gave them in the bipartisan infrastructure bill,” said Sen. Cantwell. “Bringing more affordable clean power online is the key to holding down electricity costs. These investments will not only create thousands of construction jobs, they will help revitalize our Pacific Northwest grid so we can take advantage of countless manufacturing, electrification, and emission reduction opportunities.”
    In July 2021, Sen. Cantwell authored and fought for passage of a bipartisan amendment that eventually resulted in a $10 billion increase in BPA’s borrowing authority being included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The measure allowed BPA to continue to borrow at low-interest rates at no ultimate cost to the taxpayer, so that Bonneville could move forward with the vital projects announced today. Sen. Cantwell’s amendment also linked expanded borrowing authority to new financial oversight requirements and opportunities for increased stakeholder engagement.
    Without Sen. Cantwell’s efforts, the borrowing authority would likely not have been established, industry insiders said at the time. 
    In July of 2023, BPA announced $2 billion in electricity grid investments. Combined with the proposed BPA announced then, BPA is now working on more than 20 proposed projects with an estimated cost of approximately $5 billion.
    This July, Sen. Cantwell joined U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and regional energy stakeholders to discuss technological and policy solutions that will ensure NW ratepayers and our regional economy continue to benefit from abundant, affordable, and reliable clean energy. More than 200 business, government, and non-profit energy professionals attended the event, including BPA Administrator John Hairston. On the day of the event, Sen. Cantwell released a snapshot report highlighting the key energy technology areas that the Pacific Northwest is poised to lead.
    Bonneville’s generating and transmission portfolio consists primarily of emissions-free sources and is the backbone of an electricity system that is relied on by tens of millions of people throughout the Western United States. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that the Pacific Northwest will need to add 56% more transmission capacity by 2040. The Northwest Power and Conservation Council’s latest report indicates that electricity demand in the Northwest is projected to increase by more than 30% in the next decade, triple the prediction from three years ago. 
    Sen. Cantwell has been a longtime champion of BPA and the cost-based power it helps provide the Pacific Northwest, and has successfully fended off multiple efforts to privatize BPA or increase regional electricity rates.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Photos: Rubio Visits Sarasota County Post-Hurricane Milton

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Florida Marco Rubio

    Photos: Rubio Visits Sarasota County Post-Hurricane Milton

    Oct 15, 2024 | Press Releases

    Following Hurricane Milton’s catastrophic impact on communities throughout Florida, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) met with county and local officials, emergency personnel, small business owners, and members of the National Guard in Sarasota County to discuss the storm’s impact as well as ongoing recovery efforts.

    Photos courtesy of Senator Rubio’s office.

    Senator Rubio visits the Emergency Operation Center in Sarasota County.

    Senator Rubio talks about recovery efforts with the owners of Sharky’s at the Pier.

    Senator Rubio meets with members of the National Guard.

    Senator Rubio thanks members of the National Guard while visiting the Venice Point of Distribution.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: October 14th, 2024 VIDEO: Heinrich Statement on Indigenous Peoples’ Day

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich
    ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) released the following video statement in commemoration of Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Heinrich is leading the effort in Congress to pass legislation that would replace the current federal holiday of Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
    VIDEO: U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich Indigenous Peoples’ Day Statement, October 14, 2024. 
    “Native peoples have lived in the land we now call New Mexico and the United States for thousands of years. 
    “I am honored to work with the Pueblos and Tribes who call New Mexico home, and with Tribes all across Indian Country. As part of that work, I have been proud to lead legislation in the Senate to re-frame this national holiday as Indigenous Peoples’ Day.  
    “New Mexico is one of a growing number of states that already recognizes this change. And three years ago, President Biden became the first President to formally commemorate Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Re-framing this holiday is a powerful way for us to acknowledge and heal from painful history. It also inspires us to celebrate the enduring strength and resilience of Native people. 
    “Today and every day, I am committed to uplifting Tribal communities and defending Tribal sovereignty and self-determination.” 
    Background:
    Last year, Heinrich led the bicameral introduction of legislation to replace the official federal holiday recognized on the second Monday of October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The bill would also replace any mention of Columbus Day in all federal laws or regulations with Indigenous Peoples’ Day.    
    Heinrich’s legislation is supported by the Navajo Nation, Mescalero Apache Tribe, All Pueblo Council of Governors, National Congress of American Indians, Indigenous Peoples’ Initiative, Association on American Indian Affairs, Santa Rosa Rancheria Tachi Yokut Tribe, the Pocahontas Project, Cherokee Nation, National Council of Urban Indian Health, and Barona Band of Mission Indians. 
    The Senate legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Angus King (I-Maine). 
    Read the full text of the bill here.  
    More than a dozen states across the country have recognized this change, including New Mexico. In 2021, President Joe Biden became the first U.S. President to formally commemorate Indigenous Peoples’ Day.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Breaking: Brown Announces New Partnership to Recycle Nickel in Piketon

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Ohio Sherrod Brown

    PIKETON, OH – Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is entering into a partnership with Leidos and The Conductive Group to develop a new facility that will recycle surface contaminated nickel in Piketon and create jobs in the community.

    The Department of Energy and Leidos and The Conductive Group will partner on a multi-phased project to develop a commercial scale processing facility at the former Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PORTS) in Piketon to recycle surface contaminated nickel.

    “Together with the Piketon community and Ohio Steelworkers, we worked to make this partnership a reality because we knew it would create good union jobs, grow the local economy, and advance the environmental cleanup at PORTS,” said Brown. “By working together, we are building a stronger future for Piketon.”

    Nickel is a critical for the modern battery technologies that are foundational to our country’s economic future and vital for numerous products. There is approximately 6,400 tons of nickel located at PORTS. Nickel recovered from PORTS could be used to produce a high-purity nickel for products like grid scale batteries.

    “For two decades, the United Steelworkers have been trying to unlock the potential of recycling the nickel from the DOE Portsmouth site to support reindustrialization. Senator Sherrod Brown has stood apart from the rest as a partner in Washington and has worked tirelessly to ensure valuable metals in rural Ohio can be used to create good-paying union jobs. This week, his advocacy and ours paid off,” said Herman Potter, President, Local USW Local 689.

    “We are very excited to hear about the Department’s announcement that they have selected a company to extract some of the nickel at the PORTS site. I know this has been years in the making and has been of high concern to the Commission. This announcement is a big step toward bringing in a talented outside workforce and providing good jobs for the talented people here in Pike County. We hope this initial step will be successful and lead to further nickel extraction and potentially more manufacturing onsite, ultimately bringing more jobs to Pike County and the surrounding community,” said Tony Montgomery, Pike County Commissioner.

    This project does not require federal funding and will employ local United Steelworkers (USW) members.  

    Senator Brown has been pushing the DOE on efforts around the cleanup and reindustrialization of PORTS throughout his time in office as a U.S. Senator, including pushing DOE to move forward with this opportunity to recycle nickel.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Brown: Any National Disaster Package Must Deliver for Ohio Farmers Devastated by Historic Drought

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Ohio Sherrod Brown

    CLEVELAND, OH – U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) is demanding that any national disaster package put together by Congress deliver for Ohio farmers affected by historic drought.

    As Congress considers a national emergency disaster package in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Brown is making clear that any package must include emergency disaster assistance for Ohio farmers who are facing the worst drought in decades. Brown is also pushing his colleagues to include support for Ohio farmers facing drought in the next government funding package.

    “Ohio farmers are facing a historic drought, and any disaster package must provide the support they need to come out of this crisis,” said Brown. “We will not let Ohio farmers and the communities hurt by drought be forgotten – and I will fight to ensure that they have what they need to make it through this crisis.”  

    Drought conditions started in Ohio back in mid-June, intensified throughout summer, and are expected to continue into the fall and potentially into the winter, affecting spring planting season.  Half of Ohio’s 88 counties are currently covered by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) disaster designations – an occurrence without any recent comparison. In response to the drought conditions, USDA has issued five natural disaster designations (Aug. 30, Sept. 3, Sept. 9, Sept. 16, and Oct. 1) which have in total designated 44 counties as primary disaster counties with an additional 12 counties classified as contiguous. USDA has made a number of disaster and emergency programs available to farmers struggling with the drought but Brown is concerned it will not be enough to help Ohio farmers and rural communities weather this historic drought. Brown is also concerned that many Ohio farms that are feeling the full brunt of the disaster are smaller operations, diversified farms, and agritourism operations in which current risk management and disaster assistance tools are not suited for their operations.

    Brown, the first Ohioan to serve on the Senate Agriculture Committee in nearly 50 years and a long time leader for Ohio rural communities, has been fighting for Ohio farmers during this historic drought. In early September, Brown hosted a webinar to help connect farmers and agriculture leaders with permanent Farm Bill disaster assistance programs available through the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA). In September, Brown also hosted a conference call with Ohio Farm Bureau Executive Vice President, Adam Sharp and Ohio FSA State Executive Direct Dr. John Patterson to draw further attention to this historic drought. Brown has also called on the USDA to provide additional flexibility for Ohio farmers experiencing drought conditions to conduct emergency haying and grazing on Conservation Reserve Program enrolled land.  

    In addition to pushing for support for Ohio agriculture, Brown is working to ensure that any disaster relief and government funding package fully invests in the low-interest loan program for small businesses like those in downtown Youngstown affected by the Realty Tower explosion. Last week, Brown pushed the administration to approve Governor DeWine’s request to make Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) available to Youngstown businesses.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth Honors Indigenous Peoples’ Day with Visit to Mitchell Museum of the American Indian

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

    October 14, 2024

    [EVANSTON, IL] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today visited the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian to honor Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Duckworth met with the museum’s Executive Director Kim Vigue, Board President Susan Kelsey and community leaders and members to discuss how she can help advocate for the Indigenous community at the federal level, as well as toured the museum that honors and highlights the history and culture of Indigenous peoples and communities. Photos from today’s visit are available on the Senator’s website.

    “On Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we honor and celebrate the Indigenous communities who have long contributed to our country as we continue to reckon with our nation’s horrific legacy of colonization,” Duckworth said. “I was pleased to visit and meet with the leaders of the Mitchell Museum to learn more about their mission to preserve the rich history of Indigenous peoples and pass on the culture and traditions to the next generation.”

    The Mitchell Museum of the American Indian is one of a few museums across the country that focuses exclusively on the histories, cultures, traditions and arts of Indigenous people from the United States and Canada. Since its founding in 1977, the museum has become a cherished resource and education center committed to promoting a greater understanding of Indigenous peoples and serving as a space to celebrate their diverse cultures, rich histories and present-day experiences and contributions.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Duckworth Hosts Domestic Violence Listening Session

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

    October 14, 2024

    [CHICAGO, IL] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today hosted a listening session with local domestic violence support organizations to learn more about the impact domestic violence has in communities across Illinois and the solutions to support, uplift and protect survivors while preventing further violence. Today’s roundtable was led by Amanda Pyron, President and CEO of The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence.

    “During Domestic Violence Awareness Month and every day, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting and supporting all survivors of abuse,” Duckworth said. “Today, I was proud be a part of such an important conversation about preventing domestic violence in our communities and how we can lift up survivors’ voices. I will continue to work with The Network and our local leaders to provide essential life-saving support and tools so that everyone has the knowledge to help domestic violence victims.”

    “We were grateful to welcome Senator Duckworth to The Network today to discuss the importance of community outreach in ending gender-based violence,” Pyron said. “Through congressionally directed funds from Senator Duckworth, the Network has expanded the reach of the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline. The SALONS Act will further enhance the capacity for domestic violence service providers across the state to provide education and training to trusted salon professionals.”

    In Fiscal Year 2023, Duckworth secured $550,000 in federal funding through a Congressionally Directed Spending Request for The Network. This federal investment supported an essential expansion of the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline. Duckworth also introduced the bipartisan Supporting the Abused by Learning Options to Navigate Survivor (SALONS) Stories Act, legislation to increase already-established grants to states that require beauty professionals and cosmetologists to undergo free and easily accessible domestic violence awareness training in order to help ensure more of these individuals are trained to successfully navigate conversations with clients who could be in danger.

    The Network is a group of 40+ member organizations dedicated to improving the lives of those impacted by gender-based violence through education, public policy and advocacy as well as connecting community members with direct service providers. We lead collaborative work to imagine and realize radical ways to respond to and end gender-based violence, focusing on the intersections between systemic violence and gender-based violence.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: McConnell Statement On The Passing Of Tom Donohue

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kentucky Mitch McConnell
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement today on the passing of former U.S. Chamber of Commerce CEO Tom Donohue:
    “Elaine and I were saddened to learn of the passing of our good friend, Tom Donohue. Around Washington and across the country, so many people will remember Tom as exactly that: a friend. And no doubt, that is what Tom would prefer.
    “But those fortunate to call Tom a friend also knew a visionary leader, an extraordinary advocate, and a tireless builder of coalitions whose transformative work left the U.S. Chamber, the broader business community, and our entire nation stronger.
    “Job creators and entrepreneurs across America could hope for no greater partner than Tom. He was a seasoned navigator of the halls of power and a clearinghouse for professional connections who turned the Chamber into an unmatched champion of American enterprise.
    “Today, our prayers are with the entire Donohue family as they mourn an incredible life.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lankford Visits Arizona Border, Receives Briefings from Border Patrol and ICE Officials

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Oklahoma James Lankford

    OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) concluded a two-day trip to the US-Mexico border in Arizona last week, where he met with federal agents, toured border facilities, and received briefings on the escalating challenges of securing the southern border.

    During his visit, Lankford toured the Gwen Mikeal Village, a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) facility that cares for unaccompanied minors who have crossed into the United States. He also received in-depth briefings at the Tucson Border Patrol headquarters and the Tucson CBP Air and Marine Operations headquarters, followed by a night tour with the Border Patrol Union. While on the tour, Lankford witnessed firsthand a gap in the border wall that is exploited by illegal border crossers. 

    The following day, Lankford toured the DeConcini port of entry, where he saw the process for the CBP One app. He then visited the Nogales Border Patrol Station and finished his visit with a briefing at the Tucson ICE facility with the Homeland Security Investigations to learn about the current state of interior enforcement. To view pictures from the trip, click here.

    “People from all over the world—including Russia and countries in Africa—are crossing our southern border illegally because they know they can get away with it,” said Lankford. “This isn’t just a border crisis; it’s a national security threat. Since the CBP One app doesn’t require photo ID verification, there’s no way to confirm the person filling out the information is who they say they are, which means we have no idea who is really coming into our country and that puts our communities at risk.”

    There also has been a surge of dangerous drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamines crossing the southern border, and Oklahoma communities are feeling the effects. Meth remains the top drug threat in the state.

    “When drug traffickers and illegal drugs slip through the cracks, families in Oklahoma suffer,” said Lankford. “Meth is responsible for more overdose deaths in our state than any other drug, and the increasing flow of it across the border is putting more lives in danger.”

    Senator Lankford has been an outspoken advocate for stronger border security measures. As a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Lankford will continue to fight to secure the border by pushing for stronger policies and ensuring that federal agencies have the resources and support they need to effectively protect America’s borders.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Manchin Statement On Death Of Hall Of Fame Broadcaster Jack Kane

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Joe Manchin

    October 15, 2024

    Charleston, WV – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (I-WV) released the following statement on the passing of West Virginia’s legendary news anchor, Jack Kane.

    “Gayle and I are devastated by the passing of our dear friend and broadcasting legend, Jack Kane. Jack was an institution in West Virginia journalism. With over 20 years of reporting across the Mountain State, Jack’s work was always insightful, creative and informative. It was no surprise when he was inducted into the West Virginia Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2013. He was such a bright light for our state and inspired so many young journalists to follow in his footsteps. Gayle and I send our deepest condolences to Jack’s wife, Sherrie, and all of his loved ones as they mourn this incredible loss.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cardin, Van Hollen, Ivey Highlight $1.15 Million in Direct Federal Investments for Youth Services and Restoration Projects in Prince George’s County

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maryland Ben Cardin

    WASHINGTON – Recently, U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressman Glenn Ivey (all D-Md.) were in Prince George’s County to highlight $1,150,000 in direct federal investments they secured for youth services and environmental restoration projects in the community. The lawmakers fought for these investments in the federal funding bills passed and signed into law for Fiscal Year 2024.

    “The dam ruins at Laurel’s Riverfront Park and the Laurel Boys and Girls Club are at the heart of the community and tell the city’s origin story. These are stories that need to be told,” said Senator Cardin. “Investment in these historic places preserves our history and culture while creating economic and educational opportunities for Laurel’s residents.”

    “We fought for these direct investments in Prince George’s County with key goals in mind: building stronger communities and empowering our future leaders. Funding for the Laurel Boys & Girls Clubs will enable them to maintain safe spaces for after-school activities, and resources for restoring the Laurel Dam ruins will preserve the historic landmark that this City was built around while enhancing outdoor recreational opportunities. These are investments in the preservation of our local history and the wellbeing of Marylanders today and for generations to come,” said Senator Van Hollen.

    “Investing in our communities begins with raising the quality of life for residents.  Creating a beautiful, safe and environmentally friendly park space in the ruins of a dam along the Patuxent River gives people of Laurel and beyond a look into it’s storied history as a mill town and its future with the walkable Riverfront Park.  Keeping kids safe and promoting their wellbeing is a down payment on our leaders of tomorrow.  Keeping one of the oldest boys and girls clubs in the region thriving gives a glimpse of that future.  With the leadership of Maryland’s federal delegation bringing these grant monies, Laurel’s future is as bright as ever,” said Congressman Glenn Ivey (MD-04). 

    Senators Van Hollen, Senator Cardin and Congressman Ivey were joined by Laurel Council President James Kole to celebrate $850,000 in direct federal funding they secured to stabilize, protect, and restore the Dam Ruins at the City’s Riverfront Park. The project involves renovating the observation deck, improving drainage to control erosion, and repairing signage around the dam.

    “I am thankful and  thrilled to receive this funding, which will help us preserve and enhance the Laurel Dam Ruins, an important piece of our town’s history. This investment ensures that future generations can appreciate its significance while improving safety and access for our community. Our goal is to make the Ruins a destination place  for all to enjoy,” said City of Laurel Mayor Keith Sydnor.

    The lawmakers then visited the Boys and Girls Club of Laurel to highlight $300,000 for renovations at the clubhouse. The funds will allow the Boys and Girls Club to continue providing after-school activities and a positive, safe learning environment for middle and high school students.

    “We are so thankful for the continued support and leadership by Senator Van Hollen, Senator Cardin, and Congressman Ivey. This federal funding will enable us to make some of the critical renovations to our center and continue providing the care and services that impact the lives of our community’s children every day,” said Adrian Rousseau, President of the Laurel Boys and Girls Club.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SCHUMER ANNOUNCES NEW $750 MILLION PRELIMINARY INVESTMENT FOR WOLFSPEED FROM HIS CHIPS & SCIENCE LAW; SENATOR SAYS NEW $$$ WILL HELP ACCELERATE ONGOING MOHAWK VALLEY EXPANSION & SUPPORT HUNDREDS OF…

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer

    Includes $750M Agreement For Funding From Schumer’s CHIPS Act & $750M Private Investment, Boosting Wolfspeed’s Ongoing Expansion In Upstate NY And Building A New North Carolina Facility Which Sends Wafers To Oneida County’s Marcy Nanocenter To Be Finished, Providing Long Term Work For Mohawk Valley

    Wolfspeed Says It Also Plans To Tap Up To Nearly $1 Billion From The CHIPS ITC That Schumer Created To Help Fund Completion Of Mohawk Valley Plant

    Schumer: My CHIPS & Science Law Is Bringing Wolfspeed To Front Of The Pack & Helping Mohawk Valley Lead America’s Semiconductor Renaissance

    U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer today announced Wolfspeed has reached a $750 million preliminary memorandum of terms (PMT) funding agreement under the CHIPS & Science Law he led in writing and passing into law, helping them unlock an additional $750 million in private investment. Wolfspeed also said it plans to tap nearly $1 billion from the CHIPS Investment Tax Credit that Schumer helped create to fund much of the state-of-the-art equipment being installed to complete the expansion their Silicon Carbide Fabrication Facility at Marcy Nanocenter in Oneida County.

    Wolfspeed said this massive collective investment will help accelerate their ongoing expansion in the Mohawk Valley and boosting good-paying jobs expected to be created at the Marcy facility. This CHIPS investment will also support Wolfspeed’s new North Carolina Siler City facility which is integral to the Mohawk Valley’s future as it will send wafers to be finished in NY, creating long term work and future growth opportunities for the Marcy operation.

    “Wolfspeed is leading the pack in bringing semiconductor manufacturing back to America. This major multibillion investment powered by my CHIPS & Science Law will accelerate the ongoing expansion in the Mohawk Valley, helping boost hundreds of good paying jobs and providing long term work for the Marcy fab to succeed well into the future,” said Senator Schumer. “From electric vehicles to artificial intelligence, so much critical technology relies on the silicon carbide chips that Wolfspeed will manufacture and perfect in the Mohawk Valley. Today’s massive investment will make America’s economy and our national security stronger as Wolfspeed helps us write the next chapter of America’s resurgence as the leader in the semiconductor industry, with the Mohawk Valley as the beating heart.”

    Schumer explained that Wolfspeed’s Mohawk Valley Fab is the largest and one of the only 200mm Silicon Carbide fabrication facilities in the world. Wolfspeed officially opened their new fab in 2022 and is actively expanding with approximately $790 million in additional capital planned investment in the Mohawk Valley which will help support new good paying manufacturing and construction jobs to the region. The proposed CHIPS investment would also support the construction of Wolfspeed’s silicon carbide wafer manufacturing facility in North Carolina. Nearly all of the wafers from Wolfspeed’s new facility in Siler City, NC are needed and sent to the Mohawk Valley Fab to be finished and this investment is essential to ramp up chip production in New York. The proposed CHIPS funding will support the Mohawk Valley fab to increase its production capacity by approximately 30%.

    To achieve this increase in capacity in the Mohawk Valley, Wolfspeed will purchase and install additional tools & equipment in the Mohawk Valley, such as photolithography tools, ion implanters, metal deposition tools, etch systems, automation equipment and more that will be support by the Investment Tax Credit from the CHIPS & Science Law.

    The proposed $750 million in CHIPS funding will also help catalyze private capital investment of at least $750 million to support the company’s expansion plans. This injection of private capital would not have occurred were it not for the CHIPS and Science Act. Wolfspeed is the world’s leading manufacturer of wafers and devices made from silicon carbide, a compound which has favorable chemical and material properties compared to traditional silicon, enabling Wolfspeed’s semiconductors to be highly energy-efficient and durable. The silicon carbide devices manufactured by Wolfspeed power electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids, enabling extended driving range-per-charge, faster charging times, and lower overall systems costs, they also are vital for artificial intelligence and in military applications critical for national security.

    Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. said, “We thank Senator Schumer for securing $750 million in funding for Wolfspeed from his historic CHIPS & Science Law. This transformative investment will accelerate hundreds of good-paying jobs in Oneida County and further elevate our region as a leader in semiconductor production. As Wolfspeed enhances its capabilities, we look forward to the opportunities this brings for our workforce and our future in the Mohawk Valley.”

    Acting President of Mohawk Valley EDGE Shawna Papale said, “On behalf of Mohawk Valley EDGE, we commend the Department of Commerce for reaching a preliminary agreement with Wolfspeed to leverage more than $2.5 billion of investment including over $750 million in CHIPS Act grant funding. The growth of the Mohawk Valley Fab is hinged on the ability of Siler City to produce 200mm silicon carbide wafers to supply Wolfspeed’s Mohawk Valley Fab. Thanks to Senate Majority Leader Schumer, this CHIPs announcement accelerates hiring towards Wolfspeed’s job target of over 600 employees and increases production capacity at the Marcy Nanocenter. This was a true collaboration across local, county, State, and Federal officials along with the leadership of Wolfspeed to make the dream of recreating American made manufacturing a reality right here in Oneida County.”

    Last week, Schumer announced Edwards Vacuum reached a $18 million CHIPS PMT to build its new $300+ million dry pump manufacturing facility for the semiconductor industry, the first of its kind for America, in Western NY. Earlier this year, Schumer also announced that Micron, which plans to invest $100 billion over the next two decades – the largest private investment in New York’ s history – reached a $6.1 billion CHIPS PMT funding agreement. In addition, GlobalFoundries in the Capital Region also reached an agreement for $1.5 billion in direct grant funding under his CHIPS & Science Law to support a $12.5 billion public-private investment over the next ten plus years to expand and construct a second, new state-of-the-art computer chip factory in Malta, NY. 

    Schumer added, “The CHIPS & Science Law keeps helping grow the booming semiconductor industry in Upstate NY. We are seeing more targeted federal investment than ever before to bring back manufacturing, and awards like this show how the I-90 corridor from Buffalo to Syracuse to Utica to Albany truly is becoming America’s semiconductor superhighway.”

    Schumer has long worked to position the Mohawk Valley for semiconductor investment. In addition to his efforts on further recruiting chip suppliers to Marcy Nanocenter, Schumer secured $2 million in U.S. DOL funding for the Workforce Development Board of Herkimer, Madison and Oneida Counties and Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC) to boost technical training to support the expansion and attraction of the semiconductor industry. Schumer also secured $2 million for MVCC to create a new state-of-the-art semiconductor and advanced manufacturing training center.

    Schumer is also actively working with Mohawk Valley EDGE to help lure additional semiconductor and supply chain companies to Marcy Nanocenter which will get a further boost from Wolfspeed and Micron’s expansions in the region.

    Schumer said, “Marcy Nanocenter is one of the most shovel-ready sites in the whole country and with this investment helping to strengthen Wolfspeed and with Micron rapidly establishing itself in the broader region, I am going all out to land more companies to make the Mohawk Valley a central component of bringing semiconductor manufacturing back to America.”

    Thanks to Schumer’s CHIPS & Science Law, Upstate New York has seen a major revival in tech manufacturing. Micron has announced plans for a historic $100+ billion investment to build a cutting-edge memory fab in Central New York. GlobalFoundries plans to invest over $12 billion to expand and construct a second, new state-of-the-art computer chip factory in the Capital Region. TTM Technologies, a printed circuit board manufacturer, plans to invest up to $130 million to expand their facilities in Onondaga County, creating up to 400 good-paying jobs. Menlo Micro will invest $150 million to build their microchip switch manufacturing facility in Tompkins County, creating over 100 new good-paying jobs. In addition, Upstate New York is home to semiconductor supply chain companies like Corning Incorporated, which manufactures glass critical to the microchip industry at its Canton and Fairport, NY plants. Edwards Vacuum is also moving forward with a $300+ million investment to build a dry pump manufacturing facility in Western New York, creating 600 good-paying jobs to support the growing chip industry in Upstate New York and across the nation.

    The PMT outlines key terms for Wolfspeed’s CHIPS agreement. To finalize the federal CHIPS agreement, the Commerce Department will now begin a comprehensive due diligence process on the proposed project and other information contained in the application. After satisfactory completion of the due diligence phase, the Commerce Department will finalize the PMT.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SCHUMER ANNOUNCES NEW $750 MILLION PRELIMINARY INVESTMENT FOR WOLFSPEED FROM HIS CHIPS & SCIENCE LAW; SENATOR SAYS NEW $$$ WILL HELP ACCELERATE ONGOING MOHAWK VALLEY EXPANSION & SUPPORT HUNDREDS OF…

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer

    Includes $750M Agreement For Funding From Schumer’s CHIPS Act & $750M Private Investment, Boosting Wolfspeed’s Ongoing Expansion In Upstate NY And Building A New North Carolina Facility Which Sends Wafers To Oneida County’s Marcy Nanocenter To Be Finished, Providing Long Term Work For Mohawk Valley

    Wolfspeed Says It Also Plans To Tap Up To Nearly $1 Billion From The CHIPS ITC That Schumer Created To Help Fund Completion Of Mohawk Valley Plant

    Schumer: My CHIPS & Science Law Is Bringing Wolfspeed To Front Of The Pack & Helping Mohawk Valley Lead America’s Semiconductor Renaissance

    U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer today announced Wolfspeed has reached a $750 million preliminary memorandum of terms (PMT) funding agreement under the CHIPS & Science Law he led in writing and passing into law, helping them unlock an additional $750 million in private investment. Wolfspeed also said it plans to tap nearly $1 billion from the CHIPS Investment Tax Credit that Schumer helped create to fund much of the state-of-the-art equipment being installed to complete the expansion their Silicon Carbide Fabrication Facility at Marcy Nanocenter in Oneida County.

    Wolfspeed said this massive collective investment will help accelerate their ongoing expansion in the Mohawk Valley and boosting good-paying jobs expected to be created at the Marcy facility. This CHIPS investment will also support Wolfspeed’s new North Carolina Siler City facility which is integral to the Mohawk Valley’s future as it will send wafers to be finished in NY, creating long term work and future growth opportunities for the Marcy operation.

    “Wolfspeed is leading the pack in bringing semiconductor manufacturing back to America. This major multibillion investment powered by my CHIPS & Science Law will accelerate the ongoing expansion in the Mohawk Valley, helping boost hundreds of good paying jobs and providing long term work for the Marcy fab to succeed well into the future,” said Senator Schumer. “From electric vehicles to artificial intelligence, so much critical technology relies on the silicon carbide chips that Wolfspeed will manufacture and perfect in the Mohawk Valley. Today’s massive investment will make America’s economy and our national security stronger as Wolfspeed helps us write the next chapter of America’s resurgence as the leader in the semiconductor industry, with the Mohawk Valley as the beating heart.”

    Schumer explained that Wolfspeed’s Mohawk Valley Fab is the largest and one of the only 200mm Silicon Carbide fabrication facilities in the world. Wolfspeed officially opened their new fab in 2022 and is actively expanding with approximately $790 million in additional capital planned investment in the Mohawk Valley which will help support new good paying manufacturing and construction jobs to the region. The proposed CHIPS investment would also support the construction of Wolfspeed’s silicon carbide wafer manufacturing facility in North Carolina. Nearly all of the wafers from Wolfspeed’s new facility in Siler City, NC are needed and sent to the Mohawk Valley Fab to be finished and this investment is essential to ramp up chip production in New York. The proposed CHIPS funding will support the Mohawk Valley fab to increase its production capacity by approximately 30%.

    To achieve this increase in capacity in the Mohawk Valley, Wolfspeed will purchase and install additional tools & equipment in the Mohawk Valley, such as photolithography tools, ion implanters, metal deposition tools, etch systems, automation equipment and more that will be support by the Investment Tax Credit from the CHIPS & Science Law.

    The proposed $750 million in CHIPS funding will also help catalyze private capital investment of at least $750 million to support the company’s expansion plans. This injection of private capital would not have occurred were it not for the CHIPS and Science Act. Wolfspeed is the world’s leading manufacturer of wafers and devices made from silicon carbide, a compound which has favorable chemical and material properties compared to traditional silicon, enabling Wolfspeed’s semiconductors to be highly energy-efficient and durable. The silicon carbide devices manufactured by Wolfspeed power electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids, enabling extended driving range-per-charge, faster charging times, and lower overall systems costs, they also are vital for artificial intelligence and in military applications critical for national security.

    Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. said, “We thank Senator Schumer for securing $750 million in funding for Wolfspeed from his historic CHIPS & Science Law. This transformative investment will accelerate hundreds of good-paying jobs in Oneida County and further elevate our region as a leader in semiconductor production. As Wolfspeed enhances its capabilities, we look forward to the opportunities this brings for our workforce and our future in the Mohawk Valley.”

    Acting President of Mohawk Valley EDGE Shawna Papale said, “On behalf of Mohawk Valley EDGE, we commend the Department of Commerce for reaching a preliminary agreement with Wolfspeed to leverage more than $2.5 billion of investment including over $750 million in CHIPS Act grant funding. The growth of the Mohawk Valley Fab is hinged on the ability of Siler City to produce 200mm silicon carbide wafers to supply Wolfspeed’s Mohawk Valley Fab. Thanks to Senate Majority Leader Schumer, this CHIPs announcement accelerates hiring towards Wolfspeed’s job target of over 600 employees and increases production capacity at the Marcy Nanocenter. This was a true collaboration across local, county, State, and Federal officials along with the leadership of Wolfspeed to make the dream of recreating American made manufacturing a reality right here in Oneida County.”

    Last week, Schumer announced Edwards Vacuum reached a $18 million CHIPS PMT to build its new $300+ million dry pump manufacturing facility for the semiconductor industry, the first of its kind for America, in Western NY. Earlier this year, Schumer also announced that Micron, which plans to invest $100 billion over the next two decades – the largest private investment in New York’ s history – reached a $6.1 billion CHIPS PMT funding agreement. In addition, GlobalFoundries in the Capital Region also reached an agreement for $1.5 billion in direct grant funding under his CHIPS & Science Law to support a $12.5 billion public-private investment over the next ten plus years to expand and construct a second, new state-of-the-art computer chip factory in Malta, NY. 

    Schumer added, “The CHIPS & Science Law keeps helping grow the booming semiconductor industry in Upstate NY. We are seeing more targeted federal investment than ever before to bring back manufacturing, and awards like this show how the I-90 corridor from Buffalo to Syracuse to Utica to Albany truly is becoming America’s semiconductor superhighway.”

    Schumer has long worked to position the Mohawk Valley for semiconductor investment. In addition to his efforts on further recruiting chip suppliers to Marcy Nanocenter, Schumer secured $2 million in U.S. DOL funding for the Workforce Development Board of Herkimer, Madison and Oneida Counties and Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC) to boost technical training to support the expansion and attraction of the semiconductor industry. Schumer also secured $2 million for MVCC to create a new state-of-the-art semiconductor and advanced manufacturing training center.

    Schumer is also actively working with Mohawk Valley EDGE to help lure additional semiconductor and supply chain companies to Marcy Nanocenter which will get a further boost from Wolfspeed and Micron’s expansions in the region.

    Schumer said, “Marcy Nanocenter is one of the most shovel-ready sites in the whole country and with this investment helping to strengthen Wolfspeed and with Micron rapidly establishing itself in the broader region, I am going all out to land more companies to make the Mohawk Valley a central component of bringing semiconductor manufacturing back to America.”

    Thanks to Schumer’s CHIPS & Science Law, Upstate New York has seen a major revival in tech manufacturing. Micron has announced plans for a historic $100+ billion investment to build a cutting-edge memory fab in Central New York. GlobalFoundries plans to invest over $12 billion to expand and construct a second, new state-of-the-art computer chip factory in the Capital Region. TTM Technologies, a printed circuit board manufacturer, plans to invest up to $130 million to expand their facilities in Onondaga County, creating up to 400 good-paying jobs. Menlo Micro will invest $150 million to build their microchip switch manufacturing facility in Tompkins County, creating over 100 new good-paying jobs. In addition, Upstate New York is home to semiconductor supply chain companies like Corning Incorporated, which manufactures glass critical to the microchip industry at its Canton and Fairport, NY plants. Edwards Vacuum is also moving forward with a $300+ million investment to build a dry pump manufacturing facility in Western New York, creating 600 good-paying jobs to support the growing chip industry in Upstate New York and across the nation.

    The PMT outlines key terms for Wolfspeed’s CHIPS agreement. To finalize the federal CHIPS agreement, the Commerce Department will now begin a comprehensive due diligence process on the proposed project and other information contained in the application. After satisfactory completion of the due diligence phase, the Commerce Department will finalize the PMT.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Luján, Colleagues Commemorate Indigenous Peoples’ Day

    US Senate News:

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

    Washington D.C.  – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, commemorated Indigenous Peoples’ Day with the bicameral Indigenous Peoples’ Day Act alongside Representatives Norma Torres (CA-35), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Sharice Davids (KS-03), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), and Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM). The legislation would designate Indigenous Peoples’ Day as a legal public holiday and replace the term ‘‘Columbus Day’’ with the term ‘‘Indigenous Peoples’ Day.’’ 

    “Recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day is an essential step toward honoring the accomplishments and strength of Tribal Nations across New Mexico and the country,” said Senator Luján, a member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. “I’m proud to lead this effort to officially designate Indigenous Peoples’ Day and am hopeful that Congress will follow in New Mexico’s footsteps and recognize the holiday federally. Throughout history, Native people have played a vital role in our society and shaping our nation’s history – from serving in the military, educating our children, to boosting our economy – and it is well past time to celebrate their contributions. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this bill and honor all the triumphs of our Tribal communities.” 

    “It has been a year since the Indigenous Peoples’ Day Act was reintroduced, and our nation needs to recognize and work towards addressing the deep-seated historical injustices and suffering experienced by the natives across the country,” said Congresswoman Norma Torres. “The Indigenous Peoples’ Day Act seeks to honor the enduring presence of the tribes that inhabited the Americas long before the arrival of Western explorers. By establishing Indigenous Peoples’ Day as a federal holiday, we can take a meaningful step towards acknowledging the complexities of our nation’s history and celebrating the rich traditions and culture of all Indigenous communities who are an integral part of the United States history. It is time for my colleagues in the House and Senate to unite in passing this critical legislation, ensuring that we pay tribute to the cultures and significant contributions of Indigenous peoples to our nation.”

    “On Indigenous Peoples’ Day we recognize the immense contributions Indigenous communities have made throughout our country’s history and before its founding,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “We also must acknowledge the many injustices that continue to affect Indigenous communities today. I’m pleased to join my colleagues in this important effort to establish Indigenous Peoples’ Day as a federal holiday.”

    “Indigenous People’s Day is not only a time to acknowledge the centuries of discrimination that Native peoples have experienced, but an opportunity to celebrate how much Indigenous peoples’ rich cultures have contributed to our nation’s history,” said Representative Sharice L. Davids. “As one of the first Native American women elected to Congress and a proud member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, I am proud to join my colleagues in calling for the national celebration of Indigenous Peoples’ Day.”

    “Indigenous Peoples’ Day is an opportunity for us to unite in celebration of the rich tapestry of tribal nations, their diverse cultures, and the important contributions they have made to our communities,” said Congresswoman Suzan DelBene. “Cementing this observance also acknowledges the current and historical injustices Indigenous communities face and renews our commitment to preserving their rights as we work toward a more inclusive and equitable society.”

    “As President of the Navajo Nation, I am proud to support Congresswoman Torre’s and Senator Heinrich’s efforts to pass the Indigenous Peoples’ Day Act. Indigenous Peoples’ Day is an opportunity for all of us to come together to honor the rich histories, cultures and contributions of Indigenous communities across the country. It is a day to reflect on the resilience of our people, and to promote understanding and respect for our heritage. By recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we celebrate our past and pave the way for a future built on mutual respect and collaboration. This is a day for education, reflection and unity as we work toward healing and progress.” – Dr. Buu Nygren, President of the Navajo Nation

    Full Indigenous Peoples’ Day Act Bill

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: As Medicare Open Enrollment Period Begins, Warren Highlights More Than $170 Million in Prescription Drug Savings for Massachusetts Seniors

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren

    October 15, 2024

    New report from Warren’s office, A Prescription For Savings, shows how the Inflation Reduction Act is saving seniors millions of dollars, while holding Big Pharma price-gougers accountable. 

    A Prescription for Savings – How the Inflation Reduction Act Will Cut Drug Costs for Massachusetts Medicare Enrollees in 2025 (PDF)

    Boston, MA  – On the first day of the Medicare open enrollment period for Plan Year 2025, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) released a new report, A Prescription for Savings, outlining six key reforms in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) that are helping Massachusetts seniors save on prescription drugs. 

    “The IRA will save Bay Staters enrolled in Medicare a total of over $170 million on prescription drug costs in 2025 alone,” according to the report. “The IRA has created more accessible, more equitable, and more affordable prescription drug coverage for seniors and individuals with disabilities in Massachusetts.”

    “This new report provides critical information to seniors and others in Massachusetts about how they will save money when selecting a Medicare prescription drug plan for next year,” said Senator Warren. “I’ve worked hard to rein in Big Pharma’s price-gouging and lower health care costs through the Inflation Reduction Act, and Medicare enrollees will see significant savings as a result.”

    Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration and Democrats in Congress, the IRA will save Medicare enrollees billions of dollars on prescription drugs costs nationwide. The report highlights six ways Massachusetts Medicare enrollees will save in 2025 and beyond:   

    • $35 monthly insulin: Out-of-pocket costs for insulin are now capped at $35 per month for Medicare enrollees. More than 26,000 Massachusetts Medicare enrollees who use insulin can expect about $500 in annual savings in 2025 – an estimated total savings of nearly $13 million. 
    • $2,000 cap on out-of-pocket drug costs: New out-of-pocket caps in Medicare Part D will help 83,000 enrollees in Massachusetts save an average of $1,500 on their out-of-pocket prescription drug costs – an estimated savings of over $124 million annually. 
    • Free vaccines: For more than 1.1 million Massachusetts Medicare enrollees, recommended vaccines are now covered pre-deductible and without cost-sharing. This will save Massachusetts Medicare enrollees about $5 million per year.   
    • Penalties for drug manufacturers that jack up prices faster than inflation: The IRA, for the first time, penalizes drug manufacturers that raise prices faster than inflation, helping an estimated 17,000 Massachusetts residents save on their prescription drugs. 
    • Expanded support for low-income enrollees: Approximately 5,000 low-income Medicare enrollees in Massachusetts will save around $30 million per year due to the IRA’s expansion of the Medicare Part D “Extra Help” program. 
    • Negotiations to lower drug prices: For the first time, Medicare can directly negotiate prices with drug manufacturers for a select number of high-priced drugs. Nearly 200,000 Part D enrollees in Massachusetts use at least one prescription drug that will see price reductions when the new negotiated prices take effect in 2026. 

    Senator Warren has led the fight to hold drug manufacturers accountable for high drug costs: 

    • In March 2022, at a hearing of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Elizabeth Warren called out drug manufacturers for price-gouging Americans on prescription drugs. As Americans deal with high prices across the economy, Senator Warren is pushing for reforms that will lower drug prices and stop Big Pharma from taking advantage of consumers.
    • In February 2022, during a hearing of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Growth, Senator Elizabeth Warren questioned witnesses about how corporate profiteering in the pharmaceutical, insurance, and financial industries is contributing to excessive costs for Medicare.
    • In February 2022, Senators Elizabeth Warren, Angus King (I-Maine), and Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) urged HHS to exercise march-in rights for life-saving cancer drug Xtandi to dramatically lower its price for millions of Americans. She also called out big pharma and insurance companies’ tricks to squeeze taxpayers and Medicare beneficiaries. And she called for passage of the Build Back Better Act, which includes provisions that could generate billions in savings and give the Department of Health and Human Services the authority to negotiate prices on some high-price drugs. 
    • In June 2021, Senator Elizabeth Warren led a letter questioning PhRMA’s lobbying efforts to block policies that would lower drug costs for millions of Americans. 
    • In May 2021, at a hearing of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Warren called for trade negotiations that put patients over big pharma profits. 
    • In December 2019, Senator Elizabeth Warren introduced the Affordable Drug Manufacturing Act with Congresswoman Schakowsky, to radically reduce drug prices through public manufacturing of prescription drugs, including the . 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Baldwin Introduces Bill to Protect Wisconsinites from Predatory Wall Street Investors

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) introduced the Stop Wall Street Looting Act, comprehensive legislation to fundamentally reform the private equity industry and level the playing field by forcing private investment firms to take responsibility for the outcomes of companies they take over, empowering workers and protecting investors.

    Since 2020, private equity fund assets have grown exponentially, reaching nearly $8 trillion in 2023 compared to $4.5 trillion in 2020. Private equity funds have purchased companies in nearly every sector of the economy — from nursing homes, to newspapers, to grocery stores — laying off hundreds of thousands of workers and ruining thousands of companies in the process.

    “When out-of-state investors buy Wisconsin companies only to turn a quick profit and shutter their doors, it’s Wisconsin workers and communities that suffer. I’m committed to ensuring that when Wisconsin businesses are purchased, Wisconsin families are protected and not left high and dry like we’ve seen in places like Janesville, Green Bay, and Waukesha,” said Senator Baldwin. “Our legislation will help put workers and our community first – protecting them from predatory practices that too often result in devastating job losses for Wisconsin’s working families.”

    The private equity industry claims to invest in companies while also earning high returns for investors by using their management expertise to make the companies’ operations more efficient, and then selling the companies at a profit. In reality, private equity funds often load mountains of debt on the companies they buy, strip them of their assets, and extract exorbitant fees and dividends, guaranteeing payouts for themselves regardless of how the investment performs. When their debt-ridden investments go belly-up, private equity funds walk away with no responsibility for the mess they create, leaving workers in the lurch and forcing communities to clean up their mess.

    This bill would level the playing field, protect workers, consumers, and investors, and force private equity firms to take responsibility for the companies they control by closing the loopholes that allow private equity to capture all the rewards of their investments while insulating themselves from risk and liability. The Stop Wall Street Looting Act will:

    • Require Private Investment Funds to Have Skin in the Game: Private equity firms, the firm’s general partners, and their insiders will all be on the hook for the liabilities of companies under their control — including debt, legal judgments, and pension-related obligations — to better align the incentives of private equity firms and the companies they own. Liability would not extend to the fund’s limited partners, ensuring that only those that control portfolio firms are on the hook. In order to encourage more responsible use of debt, the bill ends the tax subsidy for excessive leverage and closes the carried interest loophole.
    • End Looting of Portfolio Companies. To give portfolio companies a shot at success, the bill limits how much money private equity firms can extract from companies and closes the loophole that private equity firms have used to hide certain assets from bankruptcy courts.
    • Protect Workers, Customers and Communities. This proposal prevents private equity firms from walking away when a company fails and protects workers and communities by:
      • Prioritizing workers’ pay in the bankruptcy process and amending the laws to increase the priority claims for unpaid earnings and other benefits from $10,000 to $20,000 per worker.
      • Creating incentives for job retention so that workers can benefit from a company’s second chance.
      • Ending the immunity of private equity firms from legal liability when their portfolio companies break the law, including the WARN Act. When workers at a plant are shortchanged or residents at a nursing home are hurt because private equity firms force portfolio companies to cut corners, the firm should be liable.
      • Expanding protections for striking workers by clarifying unfair labor practices and the employer duty to bargain.
    • Empower Investors by Increasing Transparency. Private equity managers will be required to disclose fees, returns, and other information about their funds and the corporate loans they make so that investors can monitor their investments.
    • Put Guardrails Around Accessing Public Funds. Firms receiving any funds from a federal or state agency must publicly disclose how the funds are used and will be prohibited from acquiring any company or making a distribution to investors for two years after receipt.
    • Drives REITS out of Health Care. Payments from federal health programs to entities that sell assets or use assets for a loan collateral made to a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) are prohibited; repeal a rule in the Tax Code that allows taxable REIT subsidiaries to exert influence on the operations of health care entities; and remove the 20 percent pass-through deduction, passed in the 2017 Trump tax cuts, for all REIT investors.

    The bill is led by Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and also co-sponsored by Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Tina Smith (D-MN), and Ed Markey (D-MA) in the Senate.

    The bill is supported by Action Center on Race and the Economy, AFL-CIO, American Economic Liberties Project, American Federation of Teachers, Americans for Financial Reform, Center for Popular Democracy, Communication Workers of America, Community Catalyst, Economic Policy Institute, Indivisible, National Employment Law Project, National Women’s Law Center, Private Equity Stakeholder Project, People’s Action, SEIU, Strong for All, Take on Wall Street, United for Respect, Working Families Party, and Worth Rises.

    “Private equity has an immense impact on the U.S. economy, touching virtually every aspect of life from healthcare to housing to technology to retail and more. Private equity’s extractive playbook harms workers and communities, diminishes access to quality affordable health care, worsens the housing crisis and the climate crisis, and perpetuates systemic racism. Without major changes, a handful of ultra wealthy Wall Street executives will continue getting richer at everyone else’s expense. The Stop Wall Street Looting Act takes important, much needed steps to reign in Wall Street predatory practices and promote a just and sustainable economy,” said Lisa Donner, Executive Director, Americans for Financial Reform.

    “Union busting, pollution, and bankruptcy aren’t side effects of the private equity model: they are the model,” said Porter McConnell, Take on Wall Street. “It’s a smash-and-grab, plain and simple. That’s why we are so pleased to see comprehensive legislation like the Stop Wall Street Looting Act introduced in Congress today. We created the loopholes in the law that allowed the private equity industry to thrive, and we can end them. Our communities, our economy, and our democracy are depending on it.”

    “As we fight for more public investment in the child care sector, we must also rein in private equity’s ability to enrich themselves at the expense of the public. Building guardrails – such as those in the Stop Wall Street Looting Act – will help put the wellbeing of children and families ahead of private equity’s profits,” said Melissa Boteach, Vice President, Income Security and Child Care/Early Learning, National Women’s Law Center.

    “Private equity firms, which control nearly $15 trillion in assets, routinely prioritize quick, outsized profits, at the expense of workers, patients, renters, and local economies as part of their business model,” said Chris Noble, Policy Director for the Private Equity Stakeholder Project. “The Stop Wall Street Looting Act provides an essential check on this opaque industry. By addressing the systemic risks tied to debt-laden private equity buyouts, this legislation prioritizes the long-term health of businesses and communities over short-term profits for wealthy private equity executives.”

    “Private equity should have no influence over medical treatment decisions made jointly by independent physicians and their patients. The Stop Wall Street Looting Act goes a long way towards ensuring physicians, in consultation with their patients, are able to deliver quality, patient-centered, cost-efficient care without corporate interference,” said Dr. Stephen M. McCollam, Chair, Coalition for Patient-Centered Care.

    “Wall Street private equity firms have proven themselves to be a parasite on workers, our economy, and American retailers by gutting companies for profit and driving mass layoffs. Holding billionaire profiteers accountable for the damage they do to our working families and communities is imperative to addressing growing economic inequality,” said United for Respect Co-Executive Directors Bianca Agustin and Terrysa Guerra in a joint statement. “The Stop Wall Street Looting Act will help close loopholes in our laws that for too long have allowed private equity to pillage companies and amass huge profits while workers lose their jobs and are left with nothing. United For Respect is proud to support this bill — and we need all legislators to join us in protecting workers and putting Wall Street on the hook for the havoc they reap.”

    Full text of this legislation is available here. A one-pager on this legislation is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –