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Category: US Senate

  • MIL-OSI USA: VIDEO RELEASE: Sen. Johnson’s Full Roundtable Discussion, American Health and Nutrition: A Second Opinion

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Ron Johnson

    WASHINGTON – On Monday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) led a roundtable discussion titled, American Health and Nutrition: A Second Opinion. Sen. Johnson and a panel of experts provided a foundational and historical understanding of the changes that have occurred over the last century within agriculture, food processing, and healthcare industries which impact the current state of national health.  

     

    Watch the full four-hour discussion here. 

    PARTICIPANTS: 

    Dr. Casey Means

    Dr. Casey Means is a medical doctor, New York Times bestselling author, tech entrepreneur (Levels), aspiring regenerative gardener, and outdoor enthusiast. While training as a surgeon, she saw how broken and exploitative the healthcare system is and left to focus on how to keep people out of the operating room. 

    Dr. Jordan Peterson

    Dr. Jordan B. Peterson is a renowned psychologist, author, and online educator. His bestselling books, including “12 Rules for Life” and “Beyond Order,” have sold millions of copies worldwide. Dr. Peterson’s lectures and podcasts consistently attract large audiences, providing valuable insights into topics such as mythology, psychology, and personal development.

    Calley Means

    Calley Means is the co-founder of Truemed, a company that enables tax-free spending on food and exercise. He recently started an advocacy coalition with leading health and wellness companies called End Chronic Disease. Earlier in his career, he was a consultant for food and pharma companies and is now exposing practices they use to weaponize our institutions of trust. 

    Mikhaila Fuller

    Mikhaila Fuller is a podcaster, lifestyle and diet blogger, the Co-Founder and CEO of Peterson Academy, and the founder of Fuller Health and The Lion Diet. The Lion Diet is a therapeutic and plant free ketogenic diet that can be used to treat autoimmunity and psychiatric disorders. On “The Mikhaila Peterson Podcast,” she discusses health, cultural phenomena, politics, and other topics.

    Alex Clark

    Alex Clark is a food activist, advocate for healthier food systems, and host of the “Culture Apothecary” podcast. She is committed to educating consumers on the importance of organic farming and the dangers of harmful additives in food products. Clark’s mission is to inspire positive change in both personal health choices and industry standards, driving the movement toward cleaner, more responsible food production.

    Vani Hari (Food Babe)

    Vani Hari, known as the “Food Babe,” is a food activist, author, and speaker committed to improving food quality and safety. She has built a powerful platform through her blog, advocating for transparency in food labeling, and the removal of harmful chemicals from processed foods. Her activism has spurred significant changes in the food industry, encouraging consumers to make healthier, more informed choices while prompting companies to adopt cleaner practices. 

    Jillian Michaels

    Jillian Michaels is a globally recognized fitness expert, entrepreneur, and best-selling author. With her no-nonsense approach to health, she has inspired millions through her fitness programs, books, and digital platforms. Best known for her role on “The Biggest Loser,” Michaels promotes a balanced approach to fitness and nutrition, emphasizing long-term health and self-empowerment.

    Max Lugavere

    Max Lugavere is a leading health and wellness advocate, filmmaker, and New York Times bestselling author of “Genius Foods.” His work focuses on the link between diet, lifestyle, and brain health, and he has become a trusted voice in educating people about how nutrition impacts cognitive function.

    Dr. Chris Palmer

    Dr. Chris Palmer, MD is a Harvard-trained psychiatrist, researcher, and author of “Brain Energy,” where he explores the groundbreaking connection between metabolic health and mental illness. He is a leader in innovative approaches to treating psychiatric conditions, advocating for the use of diet and metabolic interventions to improve mental health outcomes. Dr. Palmer’s work is reshaping how the medical field views and treats mental health disorders. 

    Brigham Buhler

    Brigham Buhler is the founder and CEO of Ways2Well, a healthcare company that provides personalized preventative care through telemedicine. With a strong background in the pharmaceutical industry, Buhler has focused on making healthcare more accessible by harnessing the power of technology to deliver effective and tailored treatments. His vision for improving health outcomes has positioned him as a leader in modern, patient-centered healthcare solutions.

    Courtney Swan

    Courtney Swan is a nutritionist, real food activist, and founder of the popular platform “Realfoodology.” She advocates for transparency in the food industry, promoting the importance of whole foods and clean eating. Swan is passionate about educating the public on the benefits of a nutrient-dense diet, and she encourages sustainable, chemical-free farming practices to ensure better health for people and the planet.

    Jason Karp

    Jason Karp is the Founder and CEO of HumanCo – a mission-driven company that invests in and builds brands focused on healthier living and sustainability. In addition to HumanCo, Jason is the Co-Founder of Hu Kitchen, known for creating the #1 premium, organic chocolate in the U.S.. Prior to HumanCo, Jason spent over 21 years in the hedge fund industry where he was the Founder and CEO of an investment fund that managed over $4 billion. Jason graduated summa cum laude from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

    Grace Price

    Grace Price is an 18-year-old citizen scientist and health activist. Grace gained recognition for her documentary Cancer: A Food-Borne Illness, which challenged the commonly held belief that cancer is a genetic disease. The main focus of her work is advocating for the health of her generation through exposing the corruption behind big food and pharmaceutical conglomerates. 

    Dr. Marty Makary

    Dr. Marty Makary MD, MPH is a surgeon and public policy researcher at Johns Hopkins University. He writes for The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal and is the author of two New York Times bestselling books, “Unaccountable” and “The Price We Pay.” He has been an outspoken opponent of broad vaccine mandates and some COVID restrictions at schools. Dr. Makary holds degrees from Bucknell University, Thomas Jefferson University, and Harvard University. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner, Capito Introduce Methane Reduction and Economic Growth Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner
    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) introduced legislation to create a tax credit that will incentivize the capture and repurposing of methane emissions from active and abandoned mines. Methane is a greenhouse gas that is 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide, and coal mines are the country’s fifth-largest source of methane emissions. Leveraging methane capture technology can not only prevent harmful emissions from entering our atmosphere, but also allow the gas to be converted or reused for productive use, providing an additional supply of lower-emission energy that has numerous industrial and commercial applications.
    “Capturing and repurposing methane from Virginia’s active and abandoned mines will have a significant impact in the Commonwealth and across the country,” Sen. Warner said. “This legislation will lead to new investment in methane capturing efforts, and will contribute meaningfully to efforts across the country to repurpose methane that otherwise would have harmful impacts when emitted into the atmosphere while at the same time boosting the economy and creating jobs.”
    “Allowing methane capture efforts to be eligible for the 45Q Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage tax credit would result in positive environmental, economic, and investment impacts for West Virginia. I’m proud to help introduce this legislation, which could help capture and utilize mine methane emissions as a fuel source from coal mines, creating another step for West Virginia to continue leading in an ‘all-of-the-above’ energy approach,” Sen. Capito said.
    Specifically, the Methane Reduction and Economic Growth Act would amend Section 45Q of the Internal Revenue Code – which houses an existing tax credit for carbon capture and sequestration – to create a Mine Methane Capture Incentive Credit. The new credit would credit taxpayers based on the amount of qualified methane that is captured and injected into a pipeline or is otherwise used for producing heat or energy. Qualified methane includes methane which:
    Is captured from mining activities, including underground mines, abandoned or closed mines, or surface mines;
    Would otherwise be released into the atmosphere as industrial greenhouse gas emission; and
    Is measured at the source of capture and verified at the point of injection or utilization.
    Sen. Warner has been a leader on efforts to clean up and reclaim abandoned mine lands (AML) in Virginia, including by securing funding for this process through the bipartisan infrastructure law he helped to negotiate.
    The Methane Reduction and Economic Growth Act would give a boost to existing efforts in Virginia, which recently received more than $99 million in federal funding to capture and convert methane emissions from coal mines and landfills. Companion legislation has been introduced in the House of Representatives by Reps. Reps. Carol Miller (R-WV) and Terri Sewell (D-AL).
    “Finding ways to incentivize the capture of mine methane will have a positive impact here in Virginia,” Jonathan Belcher, Executive Director of the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority, said. “Encouraging beneficial use of methane, which would otherwise be wasted and emitted into the atmosphere, stimulates our economy by creating jobs in our local communities and improves our tax base, while reducing emissions both at a local and global level. Captured methane can be sold into existing marketplaces to help drive down costs for consumers and can be used as both a fuel source and a manufacturing feedstock, which will assist our existing industry and encourage new economic development in the region. We applaud Senator Warner for his leadership on this issue and his focus on the economic health of Southwest Virginia.”
    “This is a perfect example of how Washington ought to work,” Cecil Roberts, International President of the United Mine Workers of America, said. “This is strong bi-partisan legislation that will grow coalfield jobs, support coalfield communities and help reduce methane emissions. It is a win-win for workers and communities in Virginia and across Appalachia and I thank Senators Warner and Capito for taking the lead. The UMWA wholeheartedly supports this legislation and will work to secure its passage.”
    A copy of the bill text can be found here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Grassley, Ernst Leverage Newly Obtained Records on ATF’s Unlawful Misclassification Scandal to Seek Answers & Accountability

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley

    WASHINGTON – Upon obtaining an unreleased report via protected whistleblower disclosures, Iowa Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst are raising additional questions about the Office of Personnel Management (OPM)’s decision to reinstate the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive (ATF)’s position classification authority. The Office of Special Counsel previously substantiated whistleblower claims ATF repeatedly and unlawfully labeled administrative positions as “law enforcement,” costing the taxpayer at least $20 million. 
    The new records show the Justice Department (DOJ) Justice Management Division (JMD), which is supposed to determine whether DOJ is properly classifying law enforcement positions, requested the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) assess the agency’s practices. The resulting report reveals far-reaching failures across DOJ and raises flags about findings in an ATF Human Capital Management Evaluation (HCME) audit OPM conducted but has yet to publish.
    “[OPM] must fully explain, in detail, the actions taken by ATF, the Justice Department, and JMD to come into full compliance with the law, as well as the oversight mechanisms put in place to prevent millions of taxpayer dollars from being subjected to further ‘substantial waste’ due to the ATF’s illegal misconduct,” Grassley and Ernst wrote. “Further, the Justice Department must provide answers to the taxpayers about how those who were involved in or allowed ATF’s illegal misclassification scheme to continue have been held accountable. The American public deserves transparency from the OPM.”
    Notable excerpts from the NAPA report:

    DOJ’s lack of effective oversight enabled ATF’s illegal misclassification scheme to persist; JMD only denied one ATF classification request in the past eight years, despite OPM identifying 91 misclassified positions. 

    Grassley and Ernst are requesting OPM provide the complete, unpublished ATF HCME audit. However, the NAPA report discusses the following audit contents:

    “[S]ome ATF [human resources] staff raised their concerns about the [illegal classifications] to the ATF leadership, but leaders rejected their concerns” and “ignored warnings by ATF officials.” 

    The senators’ full letters to JMD and ATF, as well as OPM, are available at the corresponding links. 
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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Romney, Manchin, Warner, Braun Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Assess U.S. Resilience to Fiscal Shocks

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT)

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Mitt Romney (R-UT), Joe Manchin (I-WV), Mark Warner (D-VA), and Mike Braun (R-IN) today introduced the Reassuring Economic Stability In Light of International, Economic, and Natural Conflicts and Emergencies (RESILIENCE) Act. The bipartisan legislation would require the U.S. Treasury Secretary and Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to conduct annual examinations on the federal government’s ability to respond to hypothetical domestic and international fiscal shocks.

    “With the national debt at a staggering $35 trillion, our country is on the fast track to fiscal calamity,” said Senator Romney. “It’s not outside of the realm of possibility that a national or global event—such as a recession, armed conflict, or domestic energy crisis—would expedite that process and leave American families, businesses, and our country in economic peril. Better understanding the federal government’s abilities to respond to major, unanticipated economic events will equip us with needed insight to help proactively strengthen the United States’ resilience to potential fiscal shocks.”

    “This past July, our national debt exceeded $35 trillion for the first time in history. Make no mistake – this is the greatest threat America is facing,” Senator Manchin said. “I’m proud to introduce the RESILIENCE Act with my bipartisan colleagues to establish these critical, comprehensive annual examinations of our nation’s finances, which will better inform Congress and the American public on the most effective solutions for getting our fiscal house back in order. Every West Virginian and American is personally responsible for managing the debts they incur and the federal government must be held to the same standard for the sake of our children, grandchildren and the American Dream.”

    “This common-sense legislation requires the federal government to conduct annual tests to ensure that our finances can withstand potentially catastrophic global events,” Senator Warner said. “It is our responsibility to ensure that we are not caught on our heels when responding to the next crisis, and this legislation would do just that.”

    “Our nation’s fiscal health is in dire straits and the enormous national debt is the number one threat to our national security. The RESILIENCE Act would establish a thorough examination of our federal government’s finances, so we can reestablish fiscal discipline and make sure we are prepared for any domestic or international crisis,” said Senator Braun.

    Specifically, the annual examination would assess the ability of the federal government to respond to the following events:

    • An economic recession or depression;
    • A domestic energy crisis;
    • A catastrophic natural disaster;
    • A health crisis, such as a pandemic;
    • A significant armed conflict or event;
    • A significant cyberattack; and
    • A financial crisis.

    As it does with the annual Financial Report of the United States Government, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) would conduct an independent review of the examination and relay its findings to Congress and the American public.

    Full text of the RESILIENCE Act is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gillibrand Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Northern Border Security

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand

    Despite Dramatic Uptick In Unauthorized Crossings, Northern Border Security Strategy Has Not Been Assessed Since 2018

    Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand held a virtual press conference on the Northern Border Security Enhancement and Review Act, bipartisan legislation that would update and strengthen security at the northern border. The legislation comes following a significant increase in unauthorized crossings in the last two years, which has placed serious strain on state resources. Additionally, a number of migrants have died while attempting to cross the border in winter.

    “Customs and Border Protection agents along our northern border are struggling to address a dramatic increase in the number of unauthorized border crossings,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This bill is a commonsense, bipartisan measure to give federal law enforcement and congressional leaders more data and strategic direction to address the situation. I look forward to getting it passed.” 

    The number of migrant encounters at the northern border has roughly doubled over the past year. Officials reported more than 190,000 encounters in 2023, and apprehensions of migrants crossing illegally from Canada jumped 241% from 2022 to 2023. Gillibrand’s bill would help ensure that Customs and Border Protection has the data and insights necessary to address the increasing apprehensions along the northern border and combat illegal drug and weapons trafficking.

    Specifically, the Northern Border Security Enhancement and Review Act would: 

    1. Require a Northern Border Threat Analysis to be completed every three years; 
    2. Require that the analysis include an assessment of recent changes in the number and demographics of apprehensions at the northern border;
    3. Require that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Northern Border Strategy be updated within 90 days of the completion of the threat analysis, and have DHS brief Congress within 30 days. 

    Senator Gillibrand introduced this bill along with Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND). It unanimously passed out of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs today.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Scott, Grassley, and Bicameral Colleagues Call Out Abuses in the Biden-Harris Unaccompanied Migrant Children Program

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Tim Scott

    WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) in a letter urging President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to work with Congress to root out abuses in their administration’s unaccompanied migrant children program and stop the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)’s cover-up of the crisis. HHS has failed to comply with two out of three Department of Homeland Security (DHS) subpoenas and other information requests issued amid its investigation into more than 100 suspicious sponsors.

    “As a result of your open-borders policies, overseen by Vice President Harris, who was tasked with “stemming the migration” at our border with Mexico, more than 500,000 unaccompanied alien children (UACs) have crossed the southwest border without a parent or guardian to provide care since you took office, a massive increase when compared to previous administrations.1 These UACs often experience horrible sexual, physical, and emotional abuse on the journey and are victims of cartel trafficking and exploitation, a business that surged an estimated 2,500 percent from the Trump Administration to the middle of your term in 2022,” wrote the senators.

    The senators said, “Even as the trafficking business and the number of children entering the U.S. surged, HHS (Department of Health and Human Services) ORR (Office of Refugee Resettlement) cut back significantly on background checks and vetting procedures to speed up the process, despite knowing children were being trafficked through HHS ORR’s UAC (unaccompanied alien children) program. Your Administration likewise continued Vice President Harris’s longtime priority of cutting back on information sharing between HHS ORR and law enforcement related to unaccompanied children and sponsors.”

    “This is not a partisan issue. It can and should bring us together, as we try to protect Americans and UACs placed in HHS ORR custody alike. Your Administration must make changes to its policies and procedures for UACs to end this public safety crisis,” continued the senators.

    “[The Biden-Harris HHS] must stop its cover-up and cooperate with law enforcement and Congress to end this crisis and protect unaccompanied children and the American people,” the lawmakers concluded.

    Read the full letter HERE.

    Program Abuse
    More than 500,000 unaccompanied migrant children have crossed the southwest border under the Biden-Harris administration, while cartel trafficking activity surged an estimated 2,500 percent. Amid this crisis, the lawmakers note the Biden-Harris administration limited background checks for sponsors of unaccompanied children, cut back on familial DNA testing at the border and decreased information sharing with law enforcement.

    Seeking Solutions
    The lawmakers are urging Biden and Harris to “make changes to [their] policies and procedures” in order to “end this public safety crisis.” They are specifically calling on the Biden-Harris administration to enhance information sharing with law enforcement and Congress, fully cooperate with DHS’s child exploitation investigation and thoroughly respond to all congressional oversight requests.

    Joining Senators Tim Scott and Grassley on the letter are Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), along with Sens. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.),  John Thune (R-S.D.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), John Kennedy (R-La.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), and Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.).

    Additional co-signers in the House include Reps. Tom McLintock (R-Calif.), Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), Chip Roy (R-Texas), Dan Bishop (R-N.C.), Scott Fitzgerald (R-Wis.), Cliff Bentz (R-Ore.), Ben Cline (R-Va.), Barry Moore (R-Ala.), Russell Fry (R-S.C.), Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.), Wesley Hunt (R-Texas), Laurel Lee (R-Fla.), and Michael Rulli (R-Ohio).

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Marshall Joins America’s Newsroom on Fox to Discuss the Butler, PA, Trump Assassination Attempt Senate Report

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall

    Senator Marshall Joins America’s Newsroom on Fox to Discuss the Butler, PA, Trump Assassination Attempt Senate Report
    Washington D.C.  – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. joined America’s Newsroom on Fox to discuss the breaking Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee report on the security lapses surrounding the assassination attempt on President Trump at his Butler, Pennsylvania rally in July and the top-down culture crisis at the Secret Service. 
    Senator Marshall has previously urged for immediate reform at the Secret Service and led the call for increased security resources for President Trump.

    You may click HERE or on the image above to watch Senator Marshall’s full interview.
    Highlights from Senator Marshall’s interview include:
    On the Secret Service Report: 
    “Two minutes before shots were fired, the Secret Service knew there was a man on the roof for two minutes they left the President out there exposed before those shots were fired, and then back up for at least 30 minutes, the Secret Service knew that there was a suspicious character out there with the range binder.”
    “Why did they let the President take the stage? Why didn’t they get them off the stage? I think what this report reveals is, number one is there’s a lack of a chain of command. They had a horrible plan. It was executed even worse, and the communications were siloed. It will take days to break down the failures, but there is a cultural rot within the Secret Service. We need a crisis management team to go in there yesterday, turn this place upside down and start over.”
    On Counter Sniper Team in Butler:
    “So number one, there was absolutely a credible threat that day. And I can’t go into the specifics of what the credible threats were, but the Trump team, the Secret Service, knew of a very credible threat to President Trump, and I think that is one of the reasons why they had this counter sniper team.”
    “Look, there was a credible threat there. The Secret Service failed. No one is accepting responsibility… And that’s why we need to turn this place upside down. And I go back to this: They need a crisis management team to go in there and take the place over.”
    On the Whistleblower Claim: 
    “I keep going back to this. It is so broken. We need someone like a Mike Pompeo to step in there and take over and get President Trump the protection he needs.”
    “This is why it’s so important, Americans are out there thinking, if we cannot protect our leaders, can they protect us? So, we need to give all the resources necessary to protect President Trump. It’s very obvious that Iran, that Russia, that China, does not want Donald Trump to be president again. They’re scared to death of him.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth, Booker, Blunt Rochester, Tlaib, Dingell, Lee Call for Expedited Review and Implementation of Biden Administration’s Proposed Strengthening of the Lead and Copper Rule

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

    September 25, 2024

    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Cory Booker (D-NJ)—co-founders of the new U.S. Senate Lead Task Force and the U.S. Senate Environmental Justice Caucus—along with U.S. Representatives Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE-AL), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12), Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) and Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) are calling on the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to expedite its review of the Biden Administration’s proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI), which would lower the lead action level to better protect human health and require water systems to replace old and deteriorating lead pipes within a decade. The lawmakers’ bicameral letter underscores the importance of OMB completing its review ahead of the October 16th finalization deadline to not only help ensure these important improvements are implemented as quickly as possible, but also prevent water systems from being forced to temporarily comply with the prior rule proposed by the Trump Administration—also known as the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR)—which would put public health at risk. Congresswomen Blunt Rochester, Tlaib and Dingell are co-founders and co-leads of the Get the Lead Out Caucus in the House.

    In the letter, the lawmakers outlined what’s at stake if the proposed LCRI is not finalized by October 16th: “…water systems and states will be required to start complying immediately with the deeply problematic LCRR. EPA concluded that temporary implementation of the LCRR rule from the prior administration will create bureaucratic complexity and confusion for regulated entities, waste scarce resources, result in widespread non-compliance and risk delaying or failing to realize the full benefits of the LCRI… In addition to the unnecessary potential confusion and complexity, the prior administration’s LCRR would put public health at risk by implementing inadequate policies that do not meaningfully address the lead contamination problems in communities across the country.”

    In addition to preventing water systems from being forced to comply with Trump Administration’s previously proposed LCRR, swiftly finalizing the Biden Administration’s proposed LCRI would help ensure full implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s provisions aimed at removing lead pipes and advancing environmental justice. The lawmakers wrote: “The commitment of the Biden-Harris Administration and EPA extends beyond the LCRI, but a timely final LCRI is necessary to stop the ongoing environmental health crises. The $15 billion in dedicated funding for lead pipe replacement and additional $11.7 billion in grants, loans and principal forgiveness made possible through Congress’s passage of Senator Duckworth’s Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act, included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and other sources, need the proposed LCRI to be finalized to ensure safe and expedient implementation.”

    The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law included Duckworth’s Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act (DWWIA) and is the most significant federal investment in water infrastructure in history, including $15 billion for national lead pipe replacement. DWWIA, which focuses on disadvantaged communities, will help rebuild our nation’s crumbling and dangerous water infrastructure and enable communities to repair and modernize their failing wastewater systems.

    Along with Duckworth and Booker, the letter is co-signed in the Senate by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tom Carper (D-DE), Bernie Sanders (D-VT) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).

    Along with Blunt Rochester, Tlaib, Dingell and Lee, the letter is co-signed in the House by: Alma Adams (D-NC-12), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01), Julia Brownley (D-CA-26), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13), Sean Casten (D-IL-06), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL-20), Yvette Clarke (D-NY-09), Steve Cohen (D-TN-09), Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), Dwight Evans (D-PA-3), Bill Foster (D-IL-11), Maxwell Alejandro Frost (D-FL-10), John Garamendi (D-CA-08), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (D-IL-04), Robert Garcia (D-CA-42), Sylvia R. Garcia (D-TX-29), Daniel Goldman (D-NY-10), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05), Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ-07), Jared Huffman (D-CA-02), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL-01), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07), Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), Ro Khanna (D-CA-17), Daniel Kildee (D-MI-08), Summer Lee (D-PA-12), Stephen Lynch (D-MA-08), Seth Magaziner (D-RI-02), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04), Betty McCollum (D-MN-04), James P. McGovern (D-MA-02), Grace Meng (D-NY-06), Kevin Mullin (D-CA-15), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY-12), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC-At Large), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14), Chellie Pingree (D-ME-01), Delia Ramirez (D-IL-03), Linda Sánchez (D-CA-38), John Sarbanes (D-MA-03), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA-03), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI-07), Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17), Melanie Stansbury (D-NM-01), Haley Stevens (D-MI-11), Shri Thanedar (D-MI-13), Jill Tokuda (D-HI-13), Ritchie Torres (D-NY-15), Frederica Wilson (D-FL-24), Hank Johnson (D-GA-04), Patrick Ryan (D-NY-18), Joe Courtney (D-CT-02), Katie Porter (D-CA-47), David J. Trone (D-MD-06), Donald S. Beyer, Jr. (D-VA-08), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08), Gerald Connolly (D-VA-11), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-18), Gabe Amo (D-RI-01), Sara Jacobs (D-CA-51) and Darren Soto (D-FL-09).

    After leading a dozen of their Senate colleagues in calling on EPA to strengthen and enforce the Lead and Copper Rule, Duckworth and Booker applauded the Biden Administration for heeding their request in November of last year. In February, Duckworth, Booker, Tlaib and Dingell urged the Biden Administration to strengthen the rule further by considering additional provisions that would improve and expedite the Biden Administration’s effort to remove all lead service lines from our nation.

    The letter is endorsed by: Natural Resources Defense Council, League of Conservation Voters, EarthJustice, Protect Kids From Lead Coalition, National Association of Water Companies, BlueGreen Alliance, Environmental Defense Fund, Unleaded Kids and National Center for Healthy Housing.

    The full letter can be found below or on Senator Duckworth’s website:

    Dear Director Young:

    We appreciate the Biden-Harris Administration’s bold leadership and substantial efforts to remove nearly all lead service lines from across our nation within 10 years.  The commitment to ensure safe, lead-free drinking water in every community has been evident through both federal investments and the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) proposed rule that was published in December 2023 and submitted for finalization to the White House Office of Management and Budget’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs in August 2024. This proposal represents another critical step forward that will protect public health, create jobs and ensure a better future for our children. We write to underscore the importance of finalizing the LCRI before October 16, 2024, to avoid a default implementation of the previous administration’s Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR).

    As you know, if the rule is not finalized by October 16, water systems and states will be required to start complying immediately with the deeply problematic LCRR. EPA concluded that temporary implementation of the LCRR rule from the prior administration will create bureaucratic complexity and confusion for regulated entities, waste scarce resources, result in widespread non-compliance and risk delaying or failing to realize the full benefits of the LCRI. See 88 Fed. Reg. at 84,903, 84,967-69. In addition to the unnecessary potential confusion and complexity, the prior administration’s LCRR would put public health at risk by implementing inadequate policies that do not meaningfully address the lead contamination problems in communities across the country. 

    Finalizing the LCRI in a timely way also works to protect our most vulnerable.  Lead service lines are disproportionately located in low-income communities and communities of color. This increased risk of lead-contaminated drinking water factors into disadvantaged communities’ greater cumulative risk of lead exposure. Early lead exposure can lead to lasting behavioral and intellectual disabilities and research shows that children who were exposed to lead are more likely to have lower socioeconomic statuses than their parents in adulthood. But adults are not exempt from lead’s impacts; exposure causes cardiovascular and renal problems as well as an increase in all-cause mortality. There is no safe level of lead exposure.  

    The commitment of the Biden-Harris Administration and its EPA extends beyond the LCRI, but a timely final LCRI is necessary to stop the ongoing environmental health crises. The $15 billion in dedicated funding for lead pipe replacement and additional $11.7 billion in grants, loans and principal forgiveness made possible through Congress’s passage of Senator Duckworth’s Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act, included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and other sources, need the proposed LCRI to be finalized to ensure safe and expedient implementation. 

    A timely final LCRI is necessary to immediately and urgently address lead contamination in communities across the country and remove the estimated 9 million service lines across the nation that contain lead. The final rule will ensure that safe and lead-free drinking water is available in all communities and we look forward to continue working with you on this effort. 

    Sincerely,

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Scott Leads Effort to Increase Access to Capital, Create Investment Opportunities

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Tim Scott

    WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), the top Republican on the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, is leading legislation to revitalize the businesses within our communities and open up our capital markets to all Americans. Senator Scott’s Empowering Main Street in America Act will boost avenues for capital formation that create jobs and generate economic growth.

    Senate Banking Committee members, including Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), and Steve Daines (R-Mont.), joined Senator Scott on the legislation. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) is also a co-sponsor of the bill.

    “Our capital markets system is the envy of the world and has helped many Americans build wealth and save for their futures. But unfortunately for individuals in communities like the one I grew up in, investing in a local venture or raising capital to grow a business seems out of reach. We need to change that – and this comprehensive legislation will create economic opportunity and provide more Americans with the resources necessary to achieve financial security for their families and realize their version of the American Dream, while ensuring small business owners can access capital to grow and innovate,” said Senator Scott.

    At yesterday’s Punchbowl News event, Senator Scott highlighted how the legislation will improve access to capital for entrepreneurs across the country, tailor regulations for small and newly public companies looking to grow and expand their operations, and create new avenues for hardworking Americans to invest in their community.

    Click here to watch the full discussion.

    Senator Scott’s legislation, in part, is the result of feedback from his from his February 2024 roundtable with Black investors and business founders discussing ways to improve minority communities’ access to capital. Here’s what the roundtable participants had to say on the bill:

    “I thank Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) for his leadership in introducing the Empowering Main Street in America Act (EMSAA), which will significantly improve access to capital for all entrepreneurs and investors. I had the good fortune to participate in a roundtable that Senator Scott hosted in February with Black founders and investors, and I am very pleased to see many of the insights raised at that event reflected in the legislation. I launched RareBreed in response to the lack of access to capital for founders of color and founders outside the major investment hubs of Silicon Valley, New York, and Boston. Current rules price out many accredited investors, especially those of color, from participating in investment funds. This limits capital to drive innovation, economic growth, and job creation, and restricts capital invested in founders of color. We know this because research has shown that Black-led funds are four times as likely to invest in a Black-led company. The EMSAA will provide accredited investors of color more opportunities to participate in venture capital at lower minimums, helping to reduce risk, better diversify investments, and create wealth in communities of color. As someone who has spent my entire career in venture capital as an advocate for reducing barriers and expanding participation, I applaud this legislation and look forward to supporting its passage any way I can,” said McKeever “Mac” Conwell, Managing Partner, RareBreed Ventures.

    “Entrepreneurs don’t need to be in Silicon Valley or Wall Street to deserve access to capital. To truly foster innovation and growth, we must meet entrepreneurs where they are—whether in rural communities, urban centers, or underserved areas. The Empowering Main Street in America Act will help ensure entrepreneurs, regardless of location, have the financial resources they need to launch and grow their business, driving local economies and building stronger communities nationwide,” said Herbert Drayton III, Managing Partner, HI Mark Capital.

    “This legislative solution tears down barriers and fuels economic growth from the ground up. It’s about ensuring that every American has the opportunity to build a business, invest, and achieve financial security. The message from our roundtable was clear: strengthen our capital markets, foster entrepreneurship, make financial literacy a priority, and create pathways to prosperity for all,” said Ryan Frazier, Managing Partner and CEO, Frazier Global.

    For a section-by-section on the bill, click here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rubio Introduces Bill Requesting U.S. Sanctions on Fentanyl Precursors and Manufacturers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Florida Marco Rubio

    Rubio: Family, Community, and Faith Are the Fiber of our Nation

    Sep 24, 2024 | Press Releases

    Photo courtesy of the National Religious Broadcasters association. On September 19, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) spoke to the National Religious Broadcasters association on the importance of faith-based messaging. “The most important thing the government can do is…

    read more

    Rubio, Colleagues to Biden-Harris Officials: Individuals Tied to Cuban Regime Are Not Welcome

    Sep 24, 2024 | Press Releases

    Under U.S. law, any individual who has been, or is affiliated with a Communist Party is deemed inadmissible for entry into our nation. However, under the Biden-Harris Administration’s mass immigration program, it’s been reported that individuals tied to the…

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    Rubio, Scott Introduce Bill to Punish Colleges That Allow Antisemitism

    Sep 24, 2024 | Press Releases

    Since the October 7, 2023 terrorist attack against Israel, cases of antisemitic harassment have increased more than 500 percent at college campuses across the United States. Yet, many Institutes of Higher Education (IHEs) have failed to prevent or stop antisemitism…

    read more

    Rubio Applauds House Passage of USCIRF

    Sep 24, 2024 | Press Releases

    The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), created by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, is a bipartisan commission that monitors and reports on international religious freedom. The commission’s authorization is currently…

    read more

    Rubio, Scott Support Florida Request for Pre-landfall Emergency Declaration

    Sep 23, 2024 | Press Releases

    Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine, soon to be Hurricane Helene, is expected to make landfall in Florida as a major hurricane later this week. The storm will bring strong winds, heavy rain, severe storm surge, flooding, and hazardous seas to Florida’s impacted areas….

    read more

    ICYMI: Rubio, Clement Present Plan to Stop Antisemitism on College Campuses

    Sep 23, 2024 | Press Releases

    Congress Can Protect Jews on College Campuses U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Paul Clement September 23, 2024 Wall Street Journal The ancient poison of antisemitism has infected American higher education…. Campus antisemitism isn’t restricted to…widely publicized…

    read more

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth, Durbin, Ramirez, Underwood Celebrate Senate Passage of Resolution Honoring Wadee Alfayoumi

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

    September 25, 2024

    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] –  U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Representatives Delia Ramirez (D-IL-03) and Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) celebrated Senate passage of a resolution honoring Wadee Alfayoumi, a six-year-old Palestinian American boy who was murdered as a victim of a hate crime in Plainfield, Illinois, on October 14, 2023. The lawmakers introduced the resolution earlier this year.

    “My heart breaks for the family of Wadee Alfayoumi, the precious, innocent 6-year-old who lost his life in an unimaginably cruel way, just because of his Palestinian Muslim identity,” Duckworth said. “This barbaric, cold-blooded murder was a chilling act of hate against the Palestinian community in Illinois, and we must do everything in our power to denounce and stop more hatred and violence. I’m proud our resolution passed honoring Wadee’s life and legacy. May his memory live on and serve as a reminder that we must be united in our shared goal of ending—rather than perpetuating—the needless suffering of innocent human beings.”

    “Wadee Alfayoumi and his mother were violently attacked for no apparent reason other than their religion and their ethnicity. Targeting someone based on their ethnicity or religion is wrong, and targeting an innocent child based on those characteristics is pure hatred. Nearly a year after Wadee Alfayoumi’s young life was taken too soon, our nation continues to mourn with his family,” said Durbin. “By passing this resolution, the United States Senate is honoring and remembering Wadee’s life and condemning all forms of hate.”

    “Yesterday’s Passage of S.Res. 847, honoring Wadee Alfayoumi, was an incredibly important step for humanity, for the movement against hate and bigotry, and for this moment,” said Ramirez. “We are 12 days from October 7th and 19 days from the anniversary of Wadee’s murder – both dates marked by children torn from their mothers. While time has passed, we continue to see an escalation of violence in the Middle East, a rise in bigotry and dehumanizing rhetoric, and a rejection of our shared humanity. We must remember Wadee. And his memory must move Speaker Johnson and the House to take up the Concurrent Resolution and bring it to the Floor for a vote after the October Recess.”

    “Our community lost a beautiful light when Wadee Alfayoumi was taken from us. He brought so much sunshine and joy to his loved ones and classmates,” Underwood said. “The hatred that took him has no place in our community or in our country. I’m glad to see this resolution pass the Senate, and proud to have worked on it with Wadee’s family and community leaders to honor his life and his memory.”

    In addition to Duckworth and Durbin, the resolution is cosponsored by Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Patty Murray (D-WA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Maria Cantwell (D-WA).

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Capito Secures CDS Awards to Expand Cybersecurity, Health Facilities and Services in West Virginia

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS), announced eight Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) awards from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for education and research programs, facility construction and renovations, and healthcare treatment resources in West Virginia.
    These awards, which were secured through CDS requests made by Ranking Member Capito in Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24), will be used to improve medical centers and treatment, bolster cybersecurity education, and expand the educational opportunities for future healthcare workers in West Virginia.
    “After partnering with organizations across our state and listening to their needs, I am excited to see these awards help West Virginia institutions meet critical goals to expand medical services offered by providers in our state in both scope and quantity. I am also particularly excited to see Marshall expanding its National Center of Excellence for Cyber Security in Critical Infrastructure, which I have championed,” Ranking Member Capito said. “These CDS awards will help deliver medical and educational outcomes in West Virginia and I am proud to have secured them. As Ranking Member of the Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee, I will continue to partner with local leaders to identify their most pressing needs and work to build up our medical and educational infrastructure.”
    Individual award details listed below:
    $15,000,000 HHS CDS award to Marshall University (Huntington, W.Va.) for cyber security training of critical infrastructure operators in West Virginia. This project will continue development of a critical infrastructure cyber security lab started in 2023 to research cyber-attacks and determine how to mitigate their effects. The project also will continue efforts to train critical infrastructure operators on the cyber-defense techniques that will allow them to maintain their systems, even in the face of cyber-attacks. This funding will allow the university to add additional categories of critical infrastructure to its laboratories, and to conduct research to determine how those categories are vulnerable, what attacks will be effective, and then subsequently what mitigation techniques can be developed to overcome them. Additionally, a curriculum will be developed to train operators on these attacks and mitigation techniques, so that they can recognize them and respond in a timely manner with an appropriate mitigation response.
    Ranking Member Capito has long been a supporter of this effort, using her role on the Appropriations Committee to drive resources to help Marshall grow their cyber security emphasis. In August, Senator Capito hosted U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Director Jen Easterly at Marshall University’s Institute for Cyber Security and the National Center of Excellence for Cyber Security in Critical Infrastructure.

    $12,600,000 HHS CDS award to West Virginia University (WVU) (Morgantown, W.Va.) for the expansion and renovation of existing WVU School of Dentistry clinical space and the consolidation of all postgraduate programs on the Health Sciences Center campus. The renovations and upgrades will transform dental education and practice to meet the oral health needs of West Virginians, provide excellence in training for new generations of dental professionals, enable the school to compete for and retain well-qualified faculty and students, and propel dental research to further support patient care, education, and outreach programming.
    $7,516,000 HHS CDS award to the Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC) Greenbrier Medical Center, Inc. (Ronceverte, W.Va.) to construct a state-of-the-art facility to house an employed multispecialty physician practice of CAMC Greenbrier Valley Medical Center. Currently, the employed physicians supporting the hospital are not located on the campus of the hospital. The current rented locations are neither modern nor accessible and were not constructed to meet the needs of patients and providers.  The new medical staff office building on the CAMC Greenbrier Valley Medical Center campus will support improved access to multispecialty services for the hospital’s patients. It will also enhance the hospital’s ability to attract new physicians and retain the ones already recruited to the area.  The enhanced ease of access will ultimately improve the health of residents in the Greenbrier Valley Region. The project will allow CAMC Greenbrier Valley Medical Center to expand its Family Medicine, Cardiology, Urology, Pulmonology, ENT, and General Surgery departments. It will also provide room for the addition of Neurology Services and a telemedicine hub as CAMC Greenbrier Valley Medical Center becomes a full services community hospital.  

    $5,000,000 HHS CDS award to the Minnie Hamilton Health Care Center (Grantsville, W.Va.) to make the necessary improvements to the hospital building that offers the needed healthcare services for the community in order for those services to remain uninterrupted. This renovation project would provide new clinical, dietary, and laboratory space for patients. Also included in this phased project would be the remodel of the emergency department, ancillary therapies, and pharmacy. These renovations would enable Minnie Hamilton to provide the needed healthcare services to one of the most underserved regions of West Virginia. The current facility is over 60 years old and has exceeded its useful life. Completion of this project would ensure those healthcare services remain for the next 30-40 years.

    $5,000,000 HHS CDS award to Camden-on-Gauley Medical Center (Camden on Gauley, W.Va.) to construct a new building in Summersville, W.Va. that will contain the organization’s administrative offices, optical, x-ray, and physical therapy services. Camden Family Health plans to transition all administrative functions to this proposed building, along with the health center’s optical, physical therapy, and x-ray services. The construction of a new building and the transfer of services will provide increased access to patients, as the existing space that houses administrative services is in proximity to patients served.

    $3,000,000 HHS CDS award to Summers County (Hinton, W.Va.) to assist the Summers County Commission, in partnership with Appalachian Regional Healthcare, Inc. (ARH), in renovating and expanding the emergency department at Summers County ARH Hospital in Hinton, W.Va. Summers County ARH Hospital treated over 4,600 emergency cases in 2022; however, with 1,808 square feet of space, Summers County’s existing emergency department faces numerous challenges in accommodating emergency patients. The emergency department renovation project will be an asset for the entire Summers County community and a resource for the residents of all ages who need the medical services this modern facility will be designed to provide. 
    $1,000,000 HHS CDS award to Potomac Valley Hospital (PVH) of W.Va., Inc. (Keyser, W.Va.) to create a new six-bed observation unit that will enhance Emergency Department (ED) capacity and quality of care by reducing premature discharges and transfers, improving operational efficiency, and lowering costs. By renovating an outdated segment of the existing ED layout, PVH will create a new 1,675 square foot clinical space centered on six dedicated observation beds to take the pressure off of existing inpatient beds and boost the Hospital’s overall capacity.

    $300,000 HHS CDS award to Jefferson County Community Ministries, Inc. (Charles Town, W.Va.) for a homeless shelter that will supply a variety of essential services, including emergency housing, health and medical care, food and clothing, case management and life skills training, and other aid to vulnerable citizens, children, and families in Jefferson County. Currently, there is no homeless shelter or family shelter in Jefferson County region. Jefferson County Community Ministers (JCCM) is working to establish the first emergency shelter for the homeless and vulnerable in Jefferson County, which will include the first family emergency shelter in the Eastern Panhandle.
    $300,000 HHS CDS award to the Wood County Parks and Recreation Commission (Waverly, W.Va.) to replace the outdated Chiller/Air Conditioner at the White Oak Village section of the park to ensure the continued success of the Harmony Ridge Recover Center operation. The replacement and upgrade of the Chiller/Air Conditioning unit for the lodge plays a vital role in continuing treatment services offered by Harmony Ridge Recovery Center.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Clark County Landslide Risk To Be Studied Thanks to Federal Grant

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
    09.25.24
    Clark County Landslide Risk To Be Studied Thanks to Federal Grant
    Geological Survey awarded $299,250 to survey portions of Clark County for landslide threats; Grant was made possible by the Cantwell-authored National Landslide Preparedness Act
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) announced that the Washington Geological Survey had been awarded $299,250 to conduct a landslide inventory along State Route 14 in Clark County. The grants were awarded by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) under the Cantwell-coauthored National Landslide Preparedness Act.
    Washington is one of the most landslide-prone states in the country, and landslides in the Columbia River Gorge have the potential to block or destroy State Route 14, which runs along the Columbia River and connects communities and businesses in central and eastern Washington to southwest Washington. Landslide inventories are conducted by state and federal agencies to gather data about where landslides have occurred in the past, which can then be used to understand which areas are most susceptible in the future. This knowledge allows planners to avoid activities that can trigger landslides and helps emergency services prepare and better respond to their occurrence.
    The National Landslide Preparedness Act, which directed the USGS to award grants such as the one announced today, was introduced in 2020 by Sen. Cantwell and Representative Suzan DelBene (D, WA-01), and became law in 2021. The information collected under the Act helps communities plan for and respond to natural hazards, update the nation’s topographical maps, and inform public safety, national security, planning, infrastructure, transportation, agriculture, and natural resource management.
    Last week, the USGS released a new, highly detailed map which shows that nearly 44% of the country could experience landslide activity.  The map, which USGS creates regularly as a result of the 3D Elevation Program in the National Landslide Preparedness Act, shows that a significant area of Washington state is susceptible to landslide activity.  The new map expands the scope of assessment to include the entire country, using much higher resolution data than was previously available.
    In February, Sen. Cantwell joined U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) in introducing a bill to reauthorize and expand the National Landslide Preparedness Act for 10 years, through Fiscal Year 2034.
    Fatal landslides in Washington and Alaska have highlighted the urgent need to better understand and prepare for landslide hazards. The 2014 landslide near Oso, Washington took the lives of 43 people and devastated a community in about two minutes, and a number of recent landslides in Southeast Alaska have killed 12 people – including in Ketchikan last month, in Wrangell in November 2023, and in Haines in December 2020, among others. Landslides kill 25 to 50 people and cause between $1.6 billion and $3.2 billion in damage in the U.S. annually, according to the U.S. Geological Service and National Research Council. These statistics are expected to worsen because of climate change.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Capito-Authored Language Leads to Additional Funding in Fight Against Opioids

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS), announced $45,774,615 to West Virginia from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) State Opioid Response (SOR) grant program. Since the creation of the SOR grant program in 2018, Ranking Member Capito has secured over $200 million for West Virginia to fight the opioid epidemic.
    “With help from the SOR grant program, West Virginia has made strides in the fight against opioids with education and by expanding the discussion around Substance Use Disorder and Medication Assisted Treatment,” Ranking Member Capito said. “Recent provisional data shows a historic drop in opioid deaths in West Virginia and the SOR grant program has been crucial in this achievement. As Ranking Member of the Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee, I’ve worked hard to ensure our state is eligible to receive resources necessary to combat this crisis, not just a population-based amount. This has included new solutions like the provision I authored to prioritize funds for states hardest hit by the crisis. However, this battle is not over and I will continue to fight to make sure our state has what it needs to finally overcome this crisis.”
    BACKGROUND:
    This funding amount could have been considerably less were it not for language authored by Ranking Member Capito that would ensure states most impacted by the opioid crisis would receive more funding for their efforts. Specifically, Ranking Member Capito raised this issue in 2017 during the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) budget request hearing when initial discussions began on how to effectively assist the hardest-hit states. Prior to this change, funds were distributed by population, which often put West Virginia at a disadvantage for necessary resources. Ranking Member Capito’s language set aside 15% for states with the highest mortality rates from opioid use. 
    West Virginia has used SOR grants for several purposes, including to:
    Improve coordination across prevention and treatment activities.
    Support the statewide behavioral health infrastructure such as through county coalitions.
    Increase awareness that addiction is a disease and reduce the stigma around medication assisted treatment (MAT) through a statewide media campaign.
    Sponsor treatment for individuals without insurance or insurance that does not cover substance use disorder (SUD).
    Expand access to MAT at all regional jails.
    Train over 1,000 professionals on effective MAT practices especially on pregnant and postpartum women, opioid overdose survivors, and hospital emergency departments.
    Broaden the curriculum at the three medical schools in the state.
    Establish Quick Response Teams (QRT).
    Provide after-hours transportation and expanded route access to cover more rural areas through the West Virginia Public Transit Authority to allow individuals to access treatment services.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy, Blumenthal, Schumer, Gillibrand Introduce Legislation to Manage & Preserve Plum Island

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    September 25, 2024

    WASHINGTON– U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) introduced two coordinated pieces of legislation to create a long-term solution for management of Plum Island and to protect the island in perpetuity. Both bills are scheduled to be considered by Senate Committees this week and advance the goal of a long-term solution for management, conservation, and preservation of Plum Island.
    The Plum Island Preservation Study Act requires the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) to conduct a special resource study to evaluate the national significance of Plum Island and the suitability of designating Plum Island as a unit of DOI. This legislation is set to be considered by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Thursday.
    The Plum Island Preservation Act would permanently protect Plum Island from development and convene stakeholders, including DOI, to create a management plan for the island. The legislation also requires the General Services Administration (GSA) to submit annual reports to Congress on the progress of this process. This legislation is set to be considered by the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee on Wednesday.
    “I am committed to protecting Plum Island, and creating a management plan is a necessary step to securing its future. These pieces of legislation are important steps that will help establish a timeline and set clear objectives to preserve Plum’s environmental, ecological, and cultural heritage,” said Murphy.
    “Urgent action must safeguard Plum Island—a priceless national treasure that desperately needs and deserves permanent protection. These two bills combine to preserve this threatened pristine resource—an ecological gem home to flora and fauna as well as historically significant landmarks. Expected Senate steps forward this week on the Plum Island Preservation Act and the Plum Island Preservation Study Act are monumental strides to conserve and protect Plum Island for generations to come. Failure to act now endangers this irreplaceable natural gem,” said Blumenthal.
    “For years, I have been fighting tooth and nail to protect and preserve the national treasure that is Plum Island,” said Schumer. “Long Islanders should have input over this natural environment, not some outside ‘high bidder.’ This legislation would take a huge step forward in ensuring this natural wonder is permanently preserved for generations to come, a true win for Long Island, the environment, its rich history, and the communities and advocates who have fought so hard to preserve Plum Island.”
    “Plum Island holds significant importance in our nation’s animal research and biodefense, and as this critical mission reaches its conclusion, we must protect Plum Island’s unique ecological habitat, shared cultural heritage, and history of military operations. I have worked for years alongside my colleagues and local stakeholders to achieve this vision, and I am proud to cosponsor the Plum Island Preservation Act to ensure the long-term preservation of Plum Island and its responsible management,” said Gillibrand.
    Situated in Long Island Sound between Connecticut and New York, Plum Island is a federally-owned 840-acre island home to several endangered and vulnerable species. The island also houses the Fort Terry and Plum Island Lighthouses, two locations on the National Register of Historic Places. The Connecticut and New York delegations have been working extensively with DOI, GSA, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to solidify the future of Plum Island, and these pieces of legislation mark landmark progress in the fight to establish a long-term management plan and to permanently preserve the island.
    The full text of the Plum Island Preservation Act can be found HERE, and the full text of the Plum Island Preservation Study Act can be found HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Touting New Legislation That Would Help Prevent State Takeover of Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, Senator Reverend Warnock Joins Atlanta Airport Minority Advisory Council to Honor Mayor Jackson’s Legacy

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia

    Touting New Legislation That Would Help Prevent State Takeover of Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, Senator Reverend Warnock Joins Atlanta Airport Minority Advisory Council to Honor Mayor Jackson’s Legacy

    Senator Reverend Warnock gave remarks to over 150 Atlanta airport business owners, officials, engineering and construction companies, and other aviation professionals
    Earlier this year, Senator Reverend Warnock successfully secured a provision in the 2024 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill to protect local control of Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL)
    ATL is the busiest airport in the world and an economic engine for the City of Atlanta with over 60,000 jobs and an annual $66 billion economic impact 
    ICYMI from the AJC: Provision to prevent state takeover of ATL airport included in federal FAA law
    Senator Reverend Warnock: “I was proud to champion the recent FAA reauthorization bill that was signed into law that includes my provision to help block a state takeover of the Atlanta airport. We were able to increase protections for millions of revenue dollars flowing from the Hartsfield-Jackson Airport and help ensure minority-owned small businesses get their fair share”

    Above: Senator Warnock with leaders and members of the Atlanta Airport Minority Advisory Council (Atlanta AMAC)
    Atlanta, GA – U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), a member of the Senate Commerce committee charged with overseeing the nation’s aviation policies, uplifted provisions to strengthen Georgia’s aviation economy that he secured in the recent FAA reauthorization law during remarks to the Atlanta Airport Minority Advisory Council (Atlanta AMAC). The Atlanta AMAC meeting was hosted at Atlanta City Hall in part to celebrate 50 years since Maynard Jackson became the city’s first Black mayor; Mayor Jackson was a champion for the Atlanta airport and worked to increase the diversity of people and businesses receiving jobs and contracts borne from the airport’s burgeoning economic prosperity for the metro region. 
    The Senator gave remarks to over 150 Atlanta airport business owners, officials, engineering and construction companies, and other aviation professionals. Senator Warnock was introduced by businesswoman and AMAC member Alivia Ivey; Ms. Ivey bestowed to Senator Warnock a Bible from 1830 as part of a special recognition of his leadership on behalf of Georgia’s aviation communities.
    “I was proud to champion the recent FAA reauthorization bill that was signed into law that includes my provision to help block a state takeover of the Atlanta airport. We were able to increase protections for millions of revenue dollars flowing from the Hartsfield-Jackson Airport and help ensure minority-owned small businesses get their fair share. Not asking for anything extra; just their fair share,” said Senator Warnock in remarks to Atlanta AMAC. “Hartsfield-Jackson is the busiest airport in the world, connecting tens of millions of travelers to our incredible history, culture and businesses that make up our city. And as the region’s premier economic generator with over 60,000 jobs and an annual $66 billion economic impact, it is only right that Atlanta continues to control this gateway to the city.”

    Above: Senator Warnock with Atlanta AMAC’s Alicia Ivey
    This spring, the U.S. Congress passed and the President signed into law the bipartisan 2024 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill that will help protect local control of Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL). Senator Warnock’s provision provides additional protections and clarity in the event that the state legislature attempts to wrestle control of ATL away from the City of Atlanta, as it often threatens. 
    The provision passed as part of the 2024 FAA reauthorization bill, which included provisions championed by Senator Warnock that will transform the aviation industry—including strengthening aviation workforce development provisions that will address the current shortage of pilots, mechanics, and manufacturers, and investing in consumer protections and safety for Georgians. Additionally, Senator Warnock secured critical investments for airport improvement projects in Georgia in the bill, which will bring millions of federal dollars to the state over the next five years; these grants will help construct and upgrade aviation infrastructure at the state’s airports—including terminal space, runways, security, and more. 

    Above: Senator Warnock at the Atlanta AMAC event at Atlanta City Hall
    A transcript of Senator Warnock’s remarks to the Atlanta AMAC can be found below: 
    “It’s wonderful to be here at City Hall. Thank you so very much, Alicia Ivey, for that very kind and generous introduction. It’s great to be here with the Atlanta Airport Minority Advisory Council. And I’m gonna ask for forgiveness right off the bat because I’m on my way to the airport–going to Washington, D.C. to do the work you hired me to do.
    “Shoutout to Eboni Wimbush and Ricky Smith. Thank you for everything that you do, and thanks to everybody who is here this afternoon. It is a busy time in Washington; we’re trying to fund the government and avoid a shutdown. […] Only in Washington, D.C. does that even make sense. You all are business people–what business person brags about shutting their business down.
    “It doesn’t make any sense. And for those who do it in the name of fiscal responsibility, the truth is it costs more to shut the government down. It costs the government money and certainly it costs families and communities an untold amount. So it’s important for me to get on that plane and get up to D.C. I hope you will forgive me. 
    “But it was also important to me to be here to celebrate the great legacy of Maynard Jackson, while I am on my way to Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, and to reassure you of my understanding of how important it is that we build on his legacy, not for the sake of his, not for the sake of history but for the sake of the future. For the sake of all of our children, we celebrate 50 years since Maynard Jackson became Atlanta’s first Black mayor. 
    “He threatened at one point to run for the Senate–put his toe in the water, so he’s been paving the way a long time. You know, if you stick with this airport analogy, if you go to the airport and you take off without a problem, you ought to offer some gratitude to the folk who paved the runway. 
    “Maynard held a litany of accomplishments: one that continues to stand out is his commitment to seeing the Atlanta airport and local aviation economy soar. He saw a vision for what the airport could mean to Georgia and the region. And today we know its connectivity makes the metro area a hub for economic prosperity; I’m glad to live in the city with the world’s busiest and most efficient airport.
    “Mayor Jackson also knew that the bottom line alone was not telling the whole story. What was also important was knowing which communities are reaping the benefits of this prosperity. And so what should not be lost on us or forgotten is that, prior to Maynard, white contractors– almost all men–historically received 99% of the work on airport projects before Maynard Jackson created a plan to ensure a quarter of that went to women and minority-owned firms.
    “And so that’s the legacy that we push against when we talk about diversity. He understood that we’re not great in spite of our diversity, we’re great because of our diversity. So he encouraged collaboration between white and Black owned companies, boosting minority participation and airport contracts. He knew that when we center the people we have a chance of getting the policy right.
    “And today as the only national nonprofit trade association dedicated to advancing employment and contracting minorities throughout the aviation industry, AMAC has been in the forefront of creating an opportunity economy for all, carrying on Maynard’s torch. 
    “And so this work requires all of us to play our part. When I was elected to the Senate, when the people of Georgia gave me this incredible honor–and I mean that, it is an honor for the people of your state to say that since all of us can’t go to Washington, we’re gonna send you and we’re gonna trust that in the halls of power where decisions are made and deals are cut, you’re not gonna be thinking about yourself, you are gonna be thinking about the folks that sent you–I lobbied to get on the Commerce committee and I’m glad that I did.
    “I was proud to champion the recent FAA reauthorization bill that was signed into law that includes my provision to help block a state takeover of the Atlanta airport. We were able to increase protections for millions of revenue dollars flowing from the Hartsfield-Jackson Airport and help ensure minority-owned small businesses get their fair share. Not asking for anything extra; just their fair share. 
    “Hartsfield-Jackson is the busiest airport in the world, connecting tens of millions of travelers to our incredible history, culture and businesses that make up our city. And as the region’s premier economic generator with over 60,000 jobs and an annual $66 billion economic impact, it is only right that Atlanta continues to control this gateway to the city.
    “And so thank you for sending me to Washington. Thank you for the honor of serving you every day. I still do wake up and pinch myself some days. I can’t believe I get to do this work. Who gets to be a U.S. Senator? Fighting on behalf of your state?
    “And because I serve on the Commerce committee, gone are the days of cynical state politicians easily threatening to seize control of Hartsfield-Jackson away from the A-T-L.
    “As a senator for all Georgians, I’m also glad that we secured critical investments in that law for airport improvement projects all across our state. These projects will bring millions more federal dollars to Georgia’s aviation economy.
    “This funding will help construct and upgrade infrastructure at the state’s airports, improving and modernizing terminals, runways, security operations, and more. Strengthening our aviation industry doesn’t stop at investing in physical infrastructure; we must also invest in the workforce. We need a diverse, robust, skilled workforce that will help take the industry to new heights.
    “Now, I wouldn’t be a preacher if I didn’t tell you a story–but a true story. Last year, I was at the Peachtree-DeKalb Airport and I met a young man named Ezekiel. He was inspiring. He had that light in his eye that you see when a young person has discovered their passion. Howard Thurman, a great Morehouse man, like Maynard Jackson was a Morehouse man. I gotta say that. Howard Thurman said, “Ask now what the world needs, ask what makes you come alive and go and do that, because what the world needs is people who come alive.”
    “This young man that I met, named Ezekiel, he had that light in his eye and he had come alive. He wanted to be a pilot. But when I met him, he had spent thousands of dollars of his own money working every single job he could find to earn money for the flight hours he needed in order to become a pilot.
    “And so he has the aptitude and the passion, but the barrier is so high. I believe that this is a challenge, not only for him, but it’s a challenge for all of us. Because if we’re going to strengthen our aviation economy, we need all the talent from everywhere we can get it.
    “And I know that our God inspires leadership and talent and brilliance all over–talent on both sides of the tracks. A child’s outcome ought not be based on their parents’ income. We need the brilliance of all of our young people.
    “So I’m proud that in the FAA reauthorization law we also included my provision that would expand federal grant funding for aviation programs in colleges and high schools, including scholarships or apprenticeships to recruit and train the future pilots, aircraft mechanics and the manufacturing professionals the industry needs.
    “We are also funding programs for outreach about aviation careers for students starting as early as elementary school and for underrepresented communities in aviation. These efforts are addressing the workforce shortage head on, and this is how we create the change that we need.
    “So Atlanta AMAC, thank you so very much. Good to drop by and see you and honor Maynard Jackson’s enduring vision and legacy. Know that I will continue to do the work on behalf of all of our children. God bless all of you. Keep the faith.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senators Collins, King Celebrate National Lobster Day

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today are celebrating Maine’s world renowned lobster industry after the Senate unanimously passed their bipartisan resolution recognizing September 25, 2024 as “National Lobster Day.” The resolution recognizes the cultural, economic and environmental impacts and importance of the iconic crustacean. Since 2015, the senators have introduced and sponsored legislation in recognition of National Lobster Day.
    “There are hundreds of small businesses along our Maine’s coastline that comprise our lobster industry, and their iconic catch is synonymous with Maine’s identity, history and culture,” said Senators Collins and King. “For centuries, the men and women who power the fishery wake up early every day proud to carry on this Maine tradition and ensure the long-term sustainability, resiliency and health of our Atlantic waters. Today, we recognize those lobstermen and women, and communities across Maine, who contribute hundreds of millions to our state and incalculable pride to our people.”
    “Lobster is an integral part of Maine’s identity, playing a crucial role in the livelihood of our coastal and island communities,” said Marianne LaCroix, Executive Director of the Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative. “National Lobster Day not only allows us to share our, sustainably sourced product with the nation but also to highlight its significant impact on Maine’s economy. We greatly appreciate Senator Collins’ and King’s continued support in recognizing this important holiday.”
    Lobster is a top economic driver for the state of Maine and, in 2023, the industry brought in $611,000,000. Senators Collins and King have been vocal champions for the lobster industry in the U.S. Senate by pushing back against policies that could hinder future growth and successes. In 2022, Senators Collins and King secured a provision in the annual appropriations spending bill which included a regulatory reprieve to protect Maine’s sustainable lobster industry from misguided regulations that would have been devastating for the industry.
    Read the full resolution here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Bennet, Hickenlooper Introduce Legislation to Compensate Communities Affected by Gold King Mine Disaster

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Colorado Michael Bennet

    Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper introduced the Gold King Mine Spill Compensation Act to help communities in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona that were affected by the Gold King Mine disaster of 2015. 

    “The effects of the Gold King Mine disaster were felt far beyond the banks of the Animas River. The blowout hurt families, farmers, and outdoor recreation companies in Durango and throughout southwest Colorado who depend on the river for their livelihoods,” said Bennet. “Almost a decade later, too many Coloradans still feel its effects. Our legislation is a necessary step to help Coloradans finally recover certain remaining costs and damages incurred from the spill and make Southwest Colorado communities whole again.”

    “Local farmers, homeowners, and outdoor rec outfitters were left high and dry after the Gold King Mine spill in 2015,” said Hickenlooper. “Our bill will make sure they get the compensation they need to finally recover and move forward.”

    On August 5, 2015, the Gold King Mine spill released 3 million gallons of polluted mining wastewater into the Animas and San Juan rivers, affecting waterways in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, the Southern Ute reservation, and the Navajo Nation. Though the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was able to partially compensate some claims, its ability to meet the needs of affected businesses, farmers, and homeowners is constrained by existing laws. This legislation would provide EPA with the necessary authority and funding to compensate certain outstanding claims from the spill.

    “The Gold King Mine Compensation Act clears the procedural hurdles that kept businesses that suffered economic losses due to the spill nearly 10 years ago from being made whole,” said Matt Salka, Chair, La Plata County Board of County Commissioners. “We are grateful that the impact felt by those businesses has not been forgotten and that a remedy is possible through this much-appreciated legislation.”

    “The work that Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper and their teams have done on the Gold King Mine Bill is restoring my faith in government. After all these years to see the promise of our government concerning the Gold King Mine incident and its ensuing economic damage was not forgotten, is refreshing. The wheels of government turn slowly. We at Mild to Wild Rafting and Jeep Tours are thankful that Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper and their teams are keeping them turning,” said Alex Mickel, President, Mild to Wild Rafting and Jeep Tours.

    The La Plata County Board of County Commissioners also shared a letter in support of this legislation.

    Immediately after the Gold King Mine disaster, then-Governor Hickenlooper declared the affected area a disaster zone. The following month, Bennet requested and testified at a Senate hearing regarding the cause, response, and effects of the Gold King Mine disaster. He also introduced the Gold King Mine Spill Recovery Act to ensure the EPA continued to work with states, local communities, and Tribes to compensate those who were affected and implement long-term water quality monitoring. The following year, Bennet worked to pass legislation to support recovery efforts from the spill.

    On its second anniversary, Bennet and New Mexico Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich, alongside then-Representative Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), introduced legislation to reform the nation’s antiquated mining laws and prevent future hardrock mine disasters.

    The text of the bill is available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Manchin, Romney, Warner, Braun Introduce Bipartisan Resilience Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Joe Manchin
    September 25, 2024
    Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (I-WV), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Mark Warner (D-VA) and Mike Braun (R-IN) introduced the Reassuring Economic Stability In Light of International, Economic, and Natural Conflicts and Emergencies (RESILIENCE) Act. The bipartisan legislation would require the U.S. Treasury Secretary and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to conduct annual examinations on the federal government’s ability to respond to hypothetical domestic and international fiscal shocks.
    “This past July, our national debt exceeded $35 trillion for the first time in history. Make no mistake – this is the greatest threat America is facing,” Senator Manchin said. “I’m proud to introduce the RESILIENCE Act with my bipartisan colleagues to establish these critical, comprehensive annual examinations of our nation’s finances, which will better inform Congress and the American public on the most effective solutions for getting our fiscal house back in order. Every West Virginian and American is personally responsible for managing the debts they incur and the federal government must be held to the same standard for the sake of our children, grandchildren and the American Dream.”
    “With the national debt at a staggering $35 trillion, our country is on the fast track to fiscal calamity,” said Senator Romney. “It’s not outside of the realm of possibility that a national or global event—such as a recession, armed conflict, or domestic energy crisis—would expedite that process and leave American families, businesses, and our country in economic peril. Better understanding the federal government’s abilities to respond to major, unanticipated economic events will equip us with needed insight to help proactively strengthen the United States’ resilience to potential fiscal shocks.”
    “This common-sense legislation requires the federal government to conduct annual tests to ensure that our finances can withstand potentially catastrophic global events,” Senator Warner said. “It is our responsibility to ensure that we are not caught on our heels when responding to the next crisis, and this legislation would do just that.”
    “Our nation’s fiscal health is in dire straits and the enormous national debt is the number one threat to our national security. The RESILIENCE Act would establish a thorough examination of our federal government’s finances, so we can reestablish fiscal discipline and make sure we are prepared for any domestic or international crisis,” said Senator Braun.
    Specifically, this annual examination would assess the ability of the federal government to respond to the following events:
    An economic recession or depression;
    A domestic energy crisis;
    A catastrophic natural disaster;
    A health crisis, such as a pandemic;
    A significant armed conflict or event;
    A significant cyberattack; and
    A financial crisis.
    As it does already with the annual Financial Report of the United States Government, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) would conduct an independent review of the examination and relay its findings to Congress and the American public.
    The full text of the RESILIENCE Act is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kaine & McConnell Applaud Final Rule to Raise Minimum Age for Tobacco Sales Set by Their Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) applauded a final rule issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding ID requirements for the purchase of tobacco products at retail establishments. The rule will go into effect on September 30. This rule was required by Kaine and McConnell’s bipartisan Tobacco-Free Youth Act, which became law in December 2019 and raised the minimum age to buy all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, from 18 to 21. Additionally, a recent survey by the FDA and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) concluded the number of young people in America smoking e-cigarettes dropped to its lowest level in the last decade.
    “I’m glad the FDA issued final guidance to implement our bipartisan legislation to raise the tobacco age to 21,” said Kaine. “I was proud to work with Senator McConnell to get this legislation signed into law. Our bipartisan bill has already made a huge difference in keeping tobacco products away from young people, and this final rule will only further these efforts.”
    “Youth e-cigarette use was at its peak just five years ago. That’s when I introduced legislation along with Senator Kaine to raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco products to 21. Today, the number of young people smoking e-cigarettes dropped to its lowest level in a decade,” said McConnell. “I’m glad to see the FDA finally produce this rule that will help keep even more children from getting their hands on addictive vaping devices. While more work remains, I’m grateful to see our bipartisan legislation making a big impact.”
    In 2022 and again in 2023, Kaine and McConnell pushed the FDA to issue this final rule. The final FDA rule requires retailers to ask for photo identification for anyone under the age of 30 and prohibits retailers from selling tobacco products via vending machines in facilities where individuals under 21 are present or permitted to enter at any time.
    Kaine has long championed policies to limit tobacco use and promote public health. In March 2022, Kaine successfully secured a provision in the Fiscal Year 2022 government funding bill to close a loophole that allowed e-cigarette companies that use synthetic nicotine in their products to avoid government oversight. In September 2021, Kaine and Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) pressed the FDA on its delay of a decision on whether companies with the largest shares of the e-cigarette market can keep selling their products. As Governor of Virginia, Kaine signed a bill into law to ban smoking in bars and restaurants in the Commonwealth and issued an executive order to ban smoking in state buildings and vehicles.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden Introduces Legislation to Clean Up Hemp Market, Keep Products Out of Kids’ Hands

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)
    September 25, 2024
    Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., introduced the Cannabinoid Safety and Regulation Act (CSRA) to establish national standards to protect public health and safety and keep cannabis products out of the hands of children.
    The CSRA would establish a national age restriction to prevent those under 21 from purchasing hemp-derived cannabis products. The legislation would require that all hemp-derived products are tested for safety and are manufactured using clean and safe processes. The CSRA would require truth in labeling, and would require the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to recall or ban any cannabis products with dangerous chemicals or additives.
    “Just like the tobacco industry marketing cigarettes to young people, nobody should be slapping fun cartoons and glitzy candy wrapper packaging on cannabis products meant for adults,” Wyden said. “A federal floor for regulation of hemp products is non-negotiable to ensure that consumers aren’t put at risk by untested products of unknown origin. My legislation will ensure that adult consumers know what they’re getting, and that hemp products are never sold or marketed to children.”
    Unsafe, unregulated cannabis products have flooded the market since the 2018 Farm Bill legalized U.S. hemp production. Without FDA regulation on manufacturing, packaging, labeling and age-gating hemp-derived products, there has been a massive increase in producing and selling hemp products that imitate candy or kids’ snacks, contain dangerous chemicals or additives, or are untruthfully labeled. Despite some states’ efforts to implement their own testing, labeling, and processing standards, a federal regulatory floor is crucial to address regulatory gaps between states. The CSRA would explicitly allow states to prohibit, limit or otherwise regulate hemp-derived products beyond the bill’s provisions.
    The bill is co-sponsored by U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore.
    The CRSA is endorsed by the U.S. Hemp Roundtable, the National Cannabis Industry Association, National Industrial Hemp Council, and hemp industry associations from California, Colorado, Arizona, Michigan, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, South Dakota, Virginia, and Texas.
    “The hemp industry is united behind a simple, common-sense proposition: Hemp products should be robustly regulated, not the subject of a misguided prohibition. Senator Wyden’s critical legislation does just that: imposing strong health and safety standards for hemp products while ensuring that they are kept out of the hands of minors. Along with dozens of other hemp organizations, the US Hemp Roundtable endorses this bill as we stand up and cheer for Senator Wyden’s continued stewardship and leadership, and as we look forward to continuing to work closely with him as this bill progresses and transforms over the next several months,” said Jonathan Miller, General Counsel at U.S. Hemp Roundtable.
    “For too long, federal inaction has fostered an unregulated marketplace for hemp THC products, endangering the public and creating unfair competition for regulated cannabis businesses. We look forward to working with Senator Wyden to pass the Cannabinoid Safety and Regulation Act because it solves this problem by implementing commonsense safeguards to ensure intoxicating hemp products are tested, properly labeled, and not made available to minors while creating a pathway for manufacturers to provide safe hemp products to adults through a regulated framework,” said Aaron Smith, CEO at the National Cannabis Industry Association.
    The bill text is here. The one-pager is here. The section-by-section is here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Casey Introduces Suite of Bills to Expand Access to Community College

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Pennsylvania Bob Casey
    Casey’s bills would make community college programs more accessible and valuable for students
    Bills would spur investment in new and existing community college infrastructure in underserved areas, make it easier for college students to receive degrees when they have completed requirements
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced a suite of bills to strengthen American community colleges and make their programs more accessible and valuable for students. Two of the bills would spur investment in new and existing community college infrastructure in underserved areas. The package also includes the Correctly Recognizing Educational Achievements to Empower (CREATE) Graduates Act, which would resolve an issue preventing some community college students from receiving degrees for which they have completed the requirements.
    “Community college programs help young Americans compete for jobs, earn higher wages, and build brighter futures,” said Senator Casey. “I introduced these bills to expand access to community college and ensure students can fully take advantage of the benefits these programs have to offer. I will always fight to make sure every young American has access to the education they need to reach their full potential.”
    More than two-thirds of jobs in the modern economy require some education and training beyond high school, but many Americans lack access to affordable, quality postsecondary education. Approximately 35 million people, or 10 percent of the country’s population, live in education deserts: areas with zero or only one public broad-access college nearby. The legislative package Casey introduced today would invest in new community college infrastructure in these areas, while also bolstering existing programs around the country.
    The Funding Community College Infrastructure Act would create a $10 billion grant program within the Department of Education to invest in expanding community college access. Existing community colleges, states, local governments, and municipalities would be eligible for grant funding to establish or expand community colleges and programs to underserved areas, as well as address infrastructure needs at existing community colleges to help them serve students.
    The Community College Infrastructure Financing Act would create a bond program to provide interest-free financing for community colleges, which will allow existing community colleges, States, local governments, and municipalities, to issue “Qualified Community College Bonds” to establish or expand community colleges and programs to underserved areas, as well as address existing infrastructure needs to help them serve students. The bond’s interest would be covered through a federal tax credit to the bondholder in lieu of an interest payment by the municipality.
    Each year, thousands of community college students transfer to four-year institutions before receiving a degree. These students complete additional courses at those institutions, which if taken at a community college, would have earned them an associate degree. However, if these students leave the four-year university before graduation, they are left with nothing to show for their hard work, even though they have fulfilled the requirements for a shorter degree. The CREATE Graduates Act will help students receive the degrees that they have already earned by creating incentives for institutions of higher education to establish “reverse transfer” programs, or initiatives to transfer back credits from a four-year institution to the community college where a student without a degree was initially enrolled. As a result, this bill will allow eligible students to obtain the associate degree that they have earned and, consequently, be more competitive when they enter the job market and ready to succeed.
    Read more about the Funding Community College Infrastructure Act and the Community College Infrastructure Financing Act here. Read more about the CREATE Graduates Act here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden Joins Colleagues to Modernize Vehicle Safety Tests, Require Use of Female Crash Test Dummies

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)
    September 25, 2024
    Senator: “Safety testing that only uses male test dummies is negligent, and women are paying the price”
    Washington D.C.—U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said today he has joined U.S. Senate colleagues from both parties to introduce legislation that would  improve passenger vehicle safety by requiring the use of the most advanced testing devices available — including a female crash test dummy. 
    The bipartisan She Develops Regulations In Vehicle Equality and Safety Act would enhance passenger vehicle safety by updating U.S. crashworthiness testing procedures, Wyden said.
    “The fact that women are much more likely to be seriously injured in a car crash is not just alarming–but flat out unacceptable,” Wyden said. “Safety testing that only uses male test dummies is negligent, and women are paying the price. We need to rectify the status quo so that the safety of everyone is a priority.”
    U.S. crash testing standards rely on a crash test dummy representing a typical adult male. However, this decades-old model does not consider other characteristics such as gender, age, or disabilities. Research indicates women are more vulnerable than men to certain types of injuries in car crashes.
    “Senator Wyden has always put the health and safety of Oregonians and Americans first, and the She DRIVES Act is no exception. As one of the most powerful voices in the U.S. Senate, his choice to co-sponsor S. 4299 is a monumental step towards ending the fatal gender-based discrimination in vehicle safety testing. As a car crash survivor and young woman — thank you, Senator Wyden, for helping to finally make cars safe for everybody,” said Maria Kuhn, Founder and President of Drive US Forward.
    The bill was led by U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Nebr.). In addition to Wyden, the bill was cosponsored by Senators Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), and Susan Collins (R-Maine).

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murkowski, Hirono Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Hold Judiciary Accountable for Workplace Misconduct

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alaska Lisa Murkowski
    09.25.24
    Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee introduced the bicameral, bipartisan Judiciary Accountability Act of 2024 (JAA). The legislation would ensure the more than 30,000 employees of the federal judiciary have strong statutory rights and protections against discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, and other forms of workplace misconduct and will guide further conversations with stakeholders and experts about a legislative solution to protect the rights of judiciary employees. U.S. Representatives Hank Johnson (D-GA), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), and Norma Torres (D-CA) introduced a House companion bill.
    “The Judiciary Accountability Act expands federal laws that prohibit workplace harassment and discrimination to employees of the judiciary, putting them on par with executive branch, congressional, and private sector employees who have long-had these protections,” said Senator Murkowski. “This legislation not only helps safeguard employees from mistreatment at work, but also establishes a review system to foster accountability when those rights are violated. I appreciate the opportunity to lead this bipartisan legislation with Senator Hirono to cultivate transparency and a positive working environment within the judicial branch.”
    “No one is above the law, but most federal judiciary employees lack essential workplace protections, preventing them from obtaining justice when they face discrimination and harassment,” said Senator Hirono. “Employees of the federal judiciary dedicate their careers to providing justice, and they deserve justice when they face misconduct in the workplace. Yet these employees are among the only ones in the United States who lack the right to sue when they face discrimination or harassment. The Judiciary Accountability Act will help to protect the 30,000 federal judiciary employees by extending basic anti-discrimination protections to cover them, giving them access to federal court to vindicate those rights, and helping to ensure more accountability in the federal courts.”
    The foundational federal statutes—such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964—generally do not apply to the federal judiciary, making it one of the only employers in the entire country–public or private–whose employees are not protected by federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination and retaliation. The federal judiciary has faced sustained criticism for its approach to preventing, investigating, and remedying sexual harassment and discrimination by judges and others in the judicial branch.
    This year, back-to-back reports were released—one from the from the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the other from the Federal Judicial Center and National Academy of Public Administration—underscoring that although the Judiciary has taken steps to implement an internal dispute resolution process, that process can be disjoined and confusing. Moreover, no part of that process provides judiciary employees a path to vindicate their rights in court.
    The Judiciary Accountability Act will:
    • Give judicial branch employees the same anti-discrimination rights and remedies private sector and government employees have had for decades. Today, most judicial branch employees are not protected by the federal civil rights statutes that prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, age, and disability. The Judiciary Accountability Act would correct that injustice.
    • Protect judicial branch employees from retaliation against them by providing them with the right to sue for relief if they are retaliated against. Unlike other federal employees, most judicial branch employees currently have no statutory protection against retaliation. At a House Judiciary Committee hearing in 2020, multiple witnesses testified that they and others were afraid to come forward about the sexual harassment they suffered or witnessed.
    • Establish a comprehensive workplace misconduct prevention program overseen by an improved and expanded Office of Judicial Integrity. The Office’s Board of Directors would include members experienced in investigating and enforcing civil rights laws against workplace discrimination, as well as experience assisting victims of discrimination, retaliation, sexual harassment and sexual assault. The Office would administer a nationwide, confidential reporting system and a comprehensive training program addressing workplace behavior and bystander intervention, among other duties.
    • Require regular assessments of workplace culture to determine the effectiveness of judicial branch policies designed to prevent and remedy harassment and discrimination.
    • Make clear that discrimination and retaliation constitute judicial misconduct and ensure that the judicial misconduct laws apply to all federal judges, regardless of whether they subsequently resign, retire, or pass away.
    The full text of the legislation is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Cortez Masto Receives NALEO’s 2024 Edward R. Roybal Award for Outstanding Public Service

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto

    In Case You Missed It, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) was awarded the 2024 Edward R. Roybal Award for Outstanding Public Service by the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO). She accepted the award at the Edward R. Roybal Legacy Celebration this week. U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and President and CEO of the Vegas Chamber of Commerce Mary Beth Sewald spoke at the celebration to honor Senator Cortez Masto for her bipartisan work for working families and small businesses in Nevada and across the country.
    “I’m honored to receive such a meaningful award, and I want to thank NALEO for its tireless advocacy on behalf of Latinos throughout our country. I also want to thank Mary Beth and Senator Luján for your kind words and your partnership,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “From local school boards to state government to federal delegations, Latinos are making policy that reflects our nation’s diversity and that ensures nobody gets left behind. I may be the first Latina in the Senate, but I know I won’t be the last, and I’m working every day to make sure of it.”
    “As the first and only Latina Senator, Catherine is inspiring the next generation of leaders to continue a legacy of fighting for our communities and making things better for everyone. Senator Cortez Masto is one of the most effective leaders in the Senate – always willing to reach across the aisle and work with anyone who will deliver for her constituents and the American people,” said Senator Luján. “I was honored to join our friends and colleagues in recognizing Senator Cortez Masto’s leadership. I am lucky to count her as a mentor and a friend.”
    “It is my profound honor to be here this evening to pay tribute to U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto,” said Mary Beth Sewald, President & CEO of Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce. “From her own upbringing in Las Vegas, she understands that families and small businesses are the economic generator and the fabric of our national economy, and she has a record of working to pass legislation to make it easier to get a good-paying job, own a business, and build a better life. On behalf of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce Board of Trustees, your fellow Nevadans, and all of us who are blessed to know you, a heartfelt congratulations on earning the Edward R. Roybal, Legacy Award for Outstanding Public Service.”
    Established in 1996, the Edward R. Roybal Award for Outstanding Public Service is presented to individuals who have distinguished themselves as devoted public servants to the nation and the Latino community. The award pays tribute to the organization’s founder and President Emeritus, the late Congressman Edward R. Roybal. For more information about the NALEO and the Edward R. Roybal Legacy Celebration, click HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: During National Hazing Awareness Week, Klobuchar, Cassidy Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Hazing on College Campuses Passes House

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Minnesota Amy Klobuchar

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) announced their Stop Campus Hazing Act to improve the reporting and prevention of hazing on college campuses has passed the House of Representatives. This bipartisan legislation would require colleges to include hazing incidents in their annual campus safety report and establish a campus-wide, research-based program to educate students about the dangers of hazing. In addition, the bill would increase transparency and accountability by providing parents and students with better information about a student organization’s history of hazing incidents. The bill is championed by Representatives Lucy McBath (D-GA) and Jeff Duncan (R-SC) in the House of Representatives.

    House passage of the Stop Campus Hazing Act comes as the Senate passed Klobuchar and Cassidy’s bipartisan resolution to recognize National Hazing Awareness Week. The resolution designates this week, September 23 through 27, 2024, as “National Hazing Awareness Week,” recognizes the hundreds of students who have died or suffered severe, life-altering injuries as a result of collegiate hazing, and promotes efforts to prevent hazing. McBath and Duncan lead the companion resolution in the House of Representatives. 

    “When parents send their kids away to college, they expect they will get a good education and make new friends. Unfortunately, too many are also exposed to hazing, a dangerous—and at times deadly—problem,” said Klobuchar. “Our bipartisan legislation will improve hazing prevention efforts on college campuses to make sure we have the information we need to stop this abuse and keep students safe.”

    “Students and families should feel safe no matter what college they choose,” said Dr. Cassidy. “By increasing transparency, the Stop Campus Hazing Act will ensure that hazing is never ignored. We must get this bill across the finish line and passed into law.” 

    This Stop Campus Hazing Act is cosponsored by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Bob Casey (D-PA), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), James Lankford (R-OK), Steve Daines (R-MT), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Angus King (I-ME), and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV).

    The National Study of Student Hazing found that more than half of college students involved in extracurricular clubs, athletic teams, and organizations experience hazing. Since 2000, there have been more than 50 hazing-related deaths. 

    The Stop Campus Hazing Act would:

    • Improve hazing reporting by requiring colleges to include hazing incidents in their Annual Security Report;
    • Prevent hazing by establishing campus-wide, research-based hazing education and prevention programs; and
    • Help students and their parents make informed decisions about joining organizations on campus by requiring colleges to publish on their websites the institution’s hazing prevention policies and the organizations that have violated them. 

    This bipartisan, evidence-informed legislation is supported by the Clery Center; StopHazing; Anti-Hazing Coalition including the Hazing Prevention Network, Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values, Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors, National Panhellenic Conference and its member sororities, the North American Interfraternity Conference and its member fraternities; National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc.; Association of Big Ten Students; College Safety Coalition; SAFE Campuses, LLC; International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators; National Association of Clery Compliance Officers and Professionals; and the parents of hazing victims.

    Klobuchar has been a leader in the fight to end hazing. 

    Last year, Klobuchar and Cassidy introduced the bipartisan Stop Campus Hazing Act and the first ever congressional resolution designating “National Hazing Awareness Week.”

    The 2024 National Hazing Awareness Week resolution is cosponsored by Bob Casey (D-PA), James Lankford (R-OK), Senators Angus King (I-ME), Susan Collins (R-ME), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Chris Coons (D-DE), Steve Daines (R-MT), Tina Smith (D-MN), and Joe Manchin (I-WV).

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tillis Applauds New 9-8-8 Geo-Routing Implementation

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for North Carolina Thom Tillis

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tillis, founder and co-chair of the bipartisan Senate Mental Health Caucus, applauded the recent announcement by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to begin implementing geo-routing for incoming calls to the 9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Network. 

    “From the creation of the 9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to historic mental health investments included in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, we have made substantial progress in recent years in expanding access to quality mental health care,” said Senator Tillis. “This new geo-routing policy furthers that goal by ensuring those experiencing a mental health crisis receive rapid and localized care when calling the Lifeline.”

    Background:

    Currently, calls to the 9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline are routed by area code rather than by the caller’s location. This system leads to callers oftentimes being connected to centers that cannot connect them with local mental health resources. Geo-routing allows callers to be connected to crisis call centers and resources closest to their physical location, improving the effectiveness of the crisis care continuum and ensuring more timely, appropriate, and equitable access to crisis services. Importantly, geo-routing does not provide a precise location of the caller and allows callers to maintain their location privacy. Studies have shown that after speaking with a trained crisis counselor, most callers feel more hopeful and less depressed, suicidal and overwhelmed. 

    In North Carolina, the 9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has received over 112,000 calls, texts, and chats over the last 12 months, with an average response time of 14.2 seconds and a 98% answer rate. 90% of North Carolinians who contacted the hotline with thoughts of suicide reported improvement in how they were feeling by the end of the call.

    In December 2023, Senator Tillis introduced the Local 9-8-8 Response Act of 2023, legislation would expedite the process of connecting callers with their nearest call center so they can receive appropriate care from mental health professionals as quickly and as safely as possible, while still protecting user privacy. 

    In March 2024, Senator Tillis joined Senator Padilla, Health and Human Services Secretary Xaiver Becerra, and Federal Communication Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel to announce that the FCC issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) address the discrepancies and inefficiencies of the current system by proposing the adoption of a rule that would require a geo-routing solution to be implemented for all wireless calls to the 9-8-8 Lifeline while balancing the privacy needs of individuals in crisis. The FCC is expected to vote on final rules to codify geo-routing on October 17.

    These new rules, if adopted next month, would build on SAMHSA’s announcement, requiring all U.S. wireless carriers to implement geo-routing. In addition, the rules will also establish an implementation timeline for geo-routing calls to the 988 Lifeline of 30 days following the effective date of the rule for nationwide wireless providers and 24 months after the effective date of the rule for smaller, non-nationwide providers.  

    A one-page summary of the bill is available HERE. Full text of the bill is available HERE. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News 09/25/2024 Senate Passes Blackburn, Kaine Resolution Designating October as “National Country Music Month”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) delivered remarks on the Senate floor ahead of the Senate’s passage of her resolution with Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.) to designate the month of October as “National Country Music Month.”

    This resolution honors the contributions of country music to the story and history of the U.S. and encourages the American people to observe “National Country Music Month” with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

    Click here to download video of Senator Blackburn’s remarks on the Senate floor about her “National Country Music Month” resolution.

    REMARKS AS PREPARED:

    Next Month, Country Music Association Will Add John Anderson, James Burton, and Toby Keith to Country Music Hall of Fame

    “Each year since 1961, the Country Music Association has inducted the legendary performers, songwriters, and artists of this uniquely American musical tradition into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

    In many ways, this distinction is the highest honor in country music—with names like Hank Williams, Chet Atkins, Dolly Parton, and Elvis Presley among its roll of honor.

    Next month, three new names will join this legendary group during the Hall of Fame Medallion Ceremony: John Anderson—a force for traditionalism in country music who achieved twenty Top Ten country singles across a five-decade-long career. James Burton—who is considered one of the greatest guitarists in all of music, performing and recording with the likes of Elvis, Merle Haggard, John Denver, and Emmylou Harris. And the late Toby Kieth—an exceptional storyteller who brought joy to millions around the world through his music, especially to our men and women in uniform.”

    Country Music Reminds Every American of the Importance of Faith, Family, Freedom, Hope, Opportunity, and Patriotism

    “While each artist has their own distinct sound and style, they share a music tradition that reminds every American of the things that truly matter: faith, family, freedom, hope, opportunity, and patriotism.

    To honor this incredible genre, I come to the floor today to call for a unanimous consent vote for my resolution that would designate October 2024 as ‘National Country Music Month.’”

    Blackburn Honors Grand Ole Opry as “Home of American Music”

    “There’s a reason the Grand Ole Opry, the most famous stage in country music, is known as the ‘home of American music.’

    Now is the perfect time for Congress to honor the contributions of country music—and its legendary performers and artists—to the story and history of the United States.”

    Click here to read the resolution, and click here to download photos of Senator Blackburn with songwriters from Nashville Songwriters Association International.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hoeven, Grassley Urge Biden-Harris Admin to Address Abuses in Unaccompanied Migrant Children Program

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for North Dakota John Hoeven
    09.24.24
    WASHINGTON — Senator John Hoeven joined Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and 43 bicameral Republican colleagues in sending a letter calling on President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to root out abuses in their administration’s unaccompanied migrant children program and stop the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)’s cover-up of the crisis. HHS has failed to comply with two out of three Department of Homeland Security (DHS) subpoenas and other information requests issued amid its investigation into more than 100 suspicious sponsors. The Biden-Harris administration limited background checks for sponsors of unaccompanied children, cut back on familial DNA testing at the border and decreased information sharing with law enforcement.
    The lawmakers are urging Biden and Harris to “make changes to [their] policies and procedures” in order to “end this public safety crisis.” They are specifically calling on the Biden-Harris administration to enhance information sharing with law enforcement and Congress, fully cooperate with DHS’s child exploitation investigation and thoroughly respond to all congressional oversight requests.
    “[The Biden-Harris HHS] must stop its cover-up and cooperate with law enforcement and Congress to end this crisis and protect unaccompanied children and the American people,” the lawmakers concluded.
    Joining Hoeven and Grassley in sending the letter are Senators Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.),  John Thune (R-S.D.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), John Kennedy (R-La.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Roger Marshall (R-Kans.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.).
     Full text of the letter can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hoeven Statement on Identification of ND WWII Servicemember Charles R. Reiser, Lost During Operation Forager

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for North Dakota John Hoeven
    09.24.24
    WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee, today issued the following statement regarding the service of Army Pvt. 1st Class Charles R. Reiser, a native of Washburn, North Dakota who served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was lost during Operation Forager on the island of Saipan, in the Northern Mariana Islands. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that the remains of Reiser, 20, were accounted for on June 25, 2024. Reiser was killed on June 15, 1944, when it is believed his unit, D, 708th Amphibious Tank Battalion, was providing armor support to the Marines’ initial landing on the beaches during Operation Forager. U.S. servicemembers ashore were under constant assault from Japanese mortars.
    “We are grateful for the DPAA and their work in identifying Charles. It’s vital that we always remember the bravery and sacrifices made by our servicemembers during WWII,” said Hoeven. “Charles, who was killed along with thousands of other Americans during the Battle of Saipan, reminds us yet again of the courage of the Greatest Generation. We honor Charles’ sacrifice and join his family, his fellow veterans and North Dakotans in paying tribute to his loss.”
    Hoeven helped advance legislation in 2014 that created the DPAA, and since that time, he has worked to support the agency as it seeks to locate and bring home the remains of missing service personnel. The DPAA identified Reiser’s remains using DNA as well as dental and other evidence. Reiser will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery, on a date to be determined.

    MIL OSI USA News –