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Category: US Senate

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Speaks Out Against President Trump’s Efforts to Cut Federal Funding for Public Broadcasting

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
    Welch Defends Corporation for Public Broadcasting, National Public Radio, Public Broadcasting Service 
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, spoke out against President Trump’s request to cut $9.4 billion in federal funding—which was already appropriated by Congress—including $1.1 billion for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. If Senate Republicans approve the President’s request, $700 million of federal funding for local public media would be rescinded, impacting more than 1,500 public radio and TV stations across the country. 
    “One of the things that allows us to be united, despite our differences, is a shared understanding and knowledge of what is going on in our communities. That’s what the news is about. It’s not a propaganda machine. It’s not advocating the point of view of the President or the point of view of the Senator from Vermont. It is giving information,” said Senator Welch. “So, the question I have for us—in respect to the responsibility that you have, and I have, to the people we represent—is when we know that there are these extraordinary globalizing pressures…why would we compromise an institution that has served so many, so well, for so long? It weakens that sense of community. So why would we do that? There is not a good reason that we would do that.” 
    “We must not abandon the people we represent and the right they have to public broadcasting. And we cannot abandon the trust we must have in one another to keep our word. An agreement made must be an agreement kept.” 
    Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) led Senator Welch and seven Democratic colleagues in speaking from the Senate floor about the cuts to CPB and public media.  
    Watch Senator Welch’s speech below: 
    “These news deserts that are afflicting all of us…what has helped us so much is that many of these extraordinarily gifted reporters—who care about a sense of place, who have been on community newspapers—have now become the talent that has created this extraordinary institution of Vermont Public. Great reporting. So, in a democracy, we all know we need this. And it’s not because it’s going to be an agent for our point of view, but it’s going to be a cohesive force in the community to help people figure out the path forward.” 
    Senator Welch has been outspoken in his opposition to the Trump Administration’s unlawful efforts to dismantle and defund vital programs. In June, Senator Welch took to the Senate floor to slam the Trump Administration’s reckless rescissions request for Congressionally-appropriated funding. 
    Learn more about Senator Welch’s work by visiting his website or by following him on social media. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Speaks Out Against President Trump’s Efforts to Cut Federal Funding for Public Broadcasting

    US Senate News:

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

    Welch Defends Corporation for Public Broadcasting, National Public Radio, Public Broadcasting Service 
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, spoke out against President Trump’s request to cut $9.4 billion in federal funding—which was already appropriated by Congress—including $1.1 billion for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. If Senate Republicans approve the President’s request, $700 million of federal funding for local public media would be rescinded, impacting more than 1,500 public radio and TV stations across the country. 
    “One of the things that allows us to be united, despite our differences, is a shared understanding and knowledge of what is going on in our communities. That’s what the news is about. It’s not a propaganda machine. It’s not advocating the point of view of the President or the point of view of the Senator from Vermont. It is giving information,” said Senator Welch. “So, the question I have for us—in respect to the responsibility that you have, and I have, to the people we represent—is when we know that there are these extraordinary globalizing pressures…why would we compromise an institution that has served so many, so well, for so long? It weakens that sense of community. So why would we do that? There is not a good reason that we would do that.” 
    “We must not abandon the people we represent and the right they have to public broadcasting. And we cannot abandon the trust we must have in one another to keep our word. An agreement made must be an agreement kept.” 
    Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) led Senator Welch and seven Democratic colleagues in speaking from the Senate floor about the cuts to CPB and public media.  
    Watch Senator Welch’s speech below: 

    “These news deserts that are afflicting all of us…what has helped us so much is that many of these extraordinarily gifted reporters—who care about a sense of place, who have been on community newspapers—have now become the talent that has created this extraordinary institution of Vermont Public. Great reporting. So, in a democracy, we all know we need this. And it’s not because it’s going to be an agent for our point of view, but it’s going to be a cohesive force in the community to help people figure out the path forward.” 
    Senator Welch has been outspoken in his opposition to the Trump Administration’s unlawful efforts to dismantle and defund vital programs. In June, Senator Welch took to the Senate floor to slam the Trump Administration’s reckless rescissions request for Congressionally-appropriated funding. 
    Learn more about Senator Welch’s work by visiting his website or by following him on social media. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: On Senate Floor, Klobuchar Stands Up in Support of Public Broadcasting

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Minnesota Amy Klobuchar

    WATCH KLOBUCHAR’S FULL REMARKS HERE

    WASHINGTON — On the Senate Floor, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) spoke in opposition to the Administration’s attempt to clawback funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and foreign aid that Congress had already approved on a bipartisan basis. 

    “As the daughter of a newspaperman, I know how important public media and the free press are to our country. Public Broadcasting reaches nearly 99 percent of Americans. 99 percent with programming they don’t have to pay for delivering educational programming for our kids, coverage of local news stories and life saving emergency alerts …

    We have long agreed on a bipartisan basis to support the more than 1,500 local and regional public TV and radio stations throughout the country…I think we must continue this support.

    The Corporation for Public Broadcasting supports public TV stations in my state, in places like Duluth and Granite Falls and Austin, and supports 16 public radio stations across our state, like the ones in Grand Rapids, in Bemidji, and in Brainerd. We have a long history of producing public programming that is quite outstanding in our state… from Prairie Home Companion …to Marketplace. 

    Public Media in Minnesota has also created amazing original TV series like the ones to inspire more young people to enter STEM fields and spotlighting our artists and our local chefs…

    Twin Cities PBS launched the nation’s first 24/7 TV channel broadcasting real time emergency alerts. And recently, in the wake of the horrific shooting of the state lawmakers in the state, when portions of our state were in shelter in place, when a madman was out loose, Minnesota Public Radio kept people informed around the clock, about how to stay safe, about where the shelter in place areas were, and what was happening with the manhunt. It’s MPR that continues to report on State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, who I got to talk with yesterday about their recovery, even when the national attention has moved on. That’s what local public TV and local radio do for us.”

    Download Klobuchar’s full floor speech here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: On Senate Floor, Klobuchar Stands Up in Support of Public Broadcasting

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Minnesota Amy Klobuchar

    WATCH KLOBUCHAR’S FULL REMARKS HERE

    WASHINGTON — On the Senate Floor, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) spoke in opposition to the Administration’s attempt to clawback funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and foreign aid that Congress had already approved on a bipartisan basis. 

    “As the daughter of a newspaperman, I know how important public media and the free press are to our country. Public Broadcasting reaches nearly 99 percent of Americans. 99 percent with programming they don’t have to pay for delivering educational programming for our kids, coverage of local news stories and life saving emergency alerts …

    We have long agreed on a bipartisan basis to support the more than 1,500 local and regional public TV and radio stations throughout the country…I think we must continue this support.

    The Corporation for Public Broadcasting supports public TV stations in my state, in places like Duluth and Granite Falls and Austin, and supports 16 public radio stations across our state, like the ones in Grand Rapids, in Bemidji, and in Brainerd. We have a long history of producing public programming that is quite outstanding in our state… from Prairie Home Companion …to Marketplace. 

    Public Media in Minnesota has also created amazing original TV series like the ones to inspire more young people to enter STEM fields and spotlighting our artists and our local chefs…

    Twin Cities PBS launched the nation’s first 24/7 TV channel broadcasting real time emergency alerts. And recently, in the wake of the horrific shooting of the state lawmakers in the state, when portions of our state were in shelter in place, when a madman was out loose, Minnesota Public Radio kept people informed around the clock, about how to stay safe, about where the shelter in place areas were, and what was happening with the manhunt. It’s MPR that continues to report on State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, who I got to talk with yesterday about their recovery, even when the national attention has moved on. That’s what local public TV and local radio do for us.”

    Download Klobuchar’s full floor speech here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: On Senate Floor, Klobuchar Stands Up in Support of Public Broadcasting

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Minnesota Amy Klobuchar
    WATCH KLOBUCHAR’S FULL REMARKS HERE
    WASHINGTON — On the Senate Floor, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) spoke in opposition to the Administration’s attempt to clawback funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and foreign aid that Congress had already approved on a bipartisan basis. 
    “As the daughter of a newspaperman, I know how important public media and the free press are to our country. Public Broadcasting reaches nearly 99 percent of Americans. 99 percent with programming they don’t have to pay for delivering educational programming for our kids, coverage of local news stories and life saving emergency alerts …
    We have long agreed on a bipartisan basis to support the more than 1,500 local and regional public TV and radio stations throughout the country…I think we must continue this support.
    The Corporation for Public Broadcasting supports public TV stations in my state, in places like Duluth and Granite Falls and Austin, and supports 16 public radio stations across our state, like the ones in Grand Rapids, in Bemidji, and in Brainerd. We have a long history of producing public programming that is quite outstanding in our state… from Prairie Home Companion …to Marketplace. 
    Public Media in Minnesota has also created amazing original TV series like the ones to inspire more young people to enter STEM fields and spotlighting our artists and our local chefs…
    Twin Cities PBS launched the nation’s first 24/7 TV channel broadcasting real time emergency alerts. And recently, in the wake of the horrific shooting of the state lawmakers in the state, when portions of our state were in shelter in place, when a madman was out loose, Minnesota Public Radio kept people informed around the clock, about how to stay safe, about where the shelter in place areas were, and what was happening with the manhunt. It’s MPR that continues to report on State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, who I got to talk with yesterday about their recovery, even when the national attention has moved on. That’s what local public TV and local radio do for us.”
    Download Klobuchar’s full floor speech here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy on rescissions: “It’s gut-check time. We need to pass this bill.”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)

    Watch Kennedy’s comments here. 

    WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today delivered the following remarks on the U.S. Senate floor:

    “We’ve got a $7 trillion budget. I don’t know how much of that $7 trillion is waste, but every fair-minded person would have to agree that there’s some money being spent in that $7 trillion that shouldn’t be spent. It just shouldn’t. It’s wasted money.

    “So, President Trump and this Congress made one of its objectives trying to reduce spending. Not spending that we need but spending that needs to be reduced. I call it spending porn. 

    “The president has sent us a bill. He’s saying to Congress, I want you to reduce spending in the current budget by [$9.4 billion]. Let me tell you what constitutes the spending I want to reduce. 

    “First, [$9.4 billion] out of a $7 trillion budget, we’re not talking about a lot of money here. We’re talking about one-tenth of 1%. That’s all. That’s point one. 

    “Point two: You need to look at what the president is asking us to cut out. I’ll just give you a couple of examples. I didn’t make this up.

    “The president is saying we’re giving $3 million to Iraq to produce ‘Sesame Street.’ Maybe we could use that money for something else. 

    “The president is saying we’re giving $3 million to Zambia for circumcisions and vasectomies. The president is saying we don’t need to do that. We’ve got other priorities.

    “We’re giving $500,000 to Rwanda to buy electric buses. The president is saying to us, Congress we don’t need to be spending money on that. There are more important things.

    “We’re spending $67,000 to give insect powder to kids in Madagascar. I don’t even know what insect powder is, but the president is asking us to cut it out. 

    “We’re giving $3,600,000 to Haiti for pastry cooking classes, for cyber cafes, for dance focus groups for male prostitutes. The president is saying I don’t think so. I don’t think the American people support giving their hard-earned money to male prostitutes in Haiti. So, he’s asking us to cut it out.

    “He’s asking us to reduce the budget by $833,000 because some of President Biden’s bureaucrats gave a contract to [assist] transgender people, sex workers, and their clients in Nepal. The president is saying I don’t want to do that and he’s right. You get the idea.

    “That’s what I call spending porn. It triggers our gag reflex. You look at this stuff and you go, ‘What in God’s name? Who decided to do this?’ Well, Congress didn’t. The bureaucrats did. It’s money we appropriated, but we didn’t tell them to go spend money, $833,000, and give to sex workers in Nepal. They just took the money we appropriated and used it for that. So, the president is asking us to do what’s called a rescission and cancel the spending.

    “Now, I’ve been here eight years, Mr. President, and I’ve listened to a whole bunch of people talk about the need to reduce spending. But you’ve got to watch what people do, not what they say because talk is cheap.

    “And around here, I’ve learned pretty quickly that reducing spending, it’s like going to heaven. I want to go to heaven. I bet you want to go to heaven, Mr. President. I bet our guests in the gallery want to go to heaven, but everybody wants to heaven. Raise your hand if you’re ready to take the trip today. Most people—you are, sir, and I admire that—but most people want to live a little longer, and that’s the way we are with reducing spending around here.

    “‘I want to reduce spending. I support it but not just yet because I’ve got this project.’ And I’ve listened to that, and I especially listened to it for the past hundred days. ‘Go get them, President Trump. Reduce that spending. We’re behind you a thousand percent.’

    “Well, he has. One-tenth of 1% he’s asking us to reduce. And I’m not saying senators shouldn’t ask questions and make some changes if they need to be made, but here’s the bottom line: It is gut-check time. You either believe in reducing spending or you don’t. And if you talk the game and say, ‘Let’s reduce spending,’ and you vote against this bill, in my opinion, you ought to hide your head in a bag because you will be able to cut the hypocrisy with a knife.

    “It’s real, real hard, Mr. President, to preach temperance from a barstool. It’s gut-check time. We need to pass this bill.”

    Watch Kennedy’s speech here.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hagerty Announces Staff Additions, Trump Admin Appointments

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Tennessee Bill Hagerty
    WASHINGTON—Today, United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) announced 6 additions to his staff in Tennessee and Washington, D.C. Hagerty’s team continues to be fully operational and serving the great state of Tennessee.
    Brian McCormack will soon assume the role of Chief of Staff. McCormack is currently serving as the Chief of Staff for the National Security Council at the White House. Previously, he served at the White House Office of Management and Budget responsible for nearly a dozen agencies and as the Chief of Staff at the Department of Energy. The current Chief of Staff, Adam Telle, was nominated in March by President Trump to serve as the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works where he will oversee the Corps of Engineers.
    “I’m glad to have someone of Brian’s caliber and experience to lead this exceptional team. He brings a set of highly-relevant perspectives to the role where the paramount focus is to serve the people of Tennessee and the interests of our nation,” said Senator Bill Hagerty. “Brian’s background and relationships within the Trump Administration will support my objective of making the federal government work for the American people.”
    “I’m thankful for the many years of service Adam has put in leading our team from day one in the Senate, which has helped me build a strong foundation for success here in the U.S. Senate going forward,” said Senator Bill Hagerty. “I’m so proud of the opportunity he’s been given to once again serve as an outstanding member of President Trump’s administration, and his management of the Corps of Engineers will bring the responses we’ve seen in my Senate office to bear on an organization central to Tennessee and our nation.”
    Robert Donachie is now serving as Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications. Donachie served as Vice President of a Washington, DC-based public relations and literary agency. He spent several years working in the House of Representatives. He also served as the White House correspondent for The Washington Examiner and as a political reporter for The Daily Caller. Donachie has appeared on Fox News Channel, nationally syndicated radio programs, and provided commentary for The New York Times, POLITICO, Newsweek, The Hill, and other outlets.
    Tiffany Delgado recently joined as Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, replacing Jim Durrett.  Delgado served as Senior Vice President of a Washington, DC-based marketing agency specializing in custom targeted voter contact, fundraising and issue advocacy programs, where she was recognized with the Rising Star Award from Campaigns and Elections.  Previously she worked at the National Republican Senatorial Committee as the Director of Direct Response.  Tiffany holds a B.A. from the University of Virginia, and is currently pursuing her MBA from Georgetown University.
    Michael Sullivan will become Senior Advisor to Senator Hagerty, where he will continue to be involved in state operations while also providing strategic advice on the Senator’s larger operation, leveraging Sullivan’s experience to benefit Hagerty’s broader mandate.
    Alec Richardson will become the State Director for Senator Hagerty. Currently, he serves as Senior Advisor to Governor Bill Lee and Director of External Affairs at the State of Tennessee. In this role, Richardson is responsible for overseeing strategic operations, managing federal relations, and advising on key legislative issues. He formerly served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Personal Aide to the Governor. He resides in Nashville with his wife and their one-year-old son.
    Kalleigh Ahern is now serving as Press & Digital Assistant in the office of U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty. Prior to joining the Senate, she worked as a Public Relations and Communications Intern at a national PR agency, where she contributed to strategic campaign planning, media monitoring and cross-sector client research. Ahern also gained firsthand experience in federal outreach and constituent services while working in her home congressional district in Tennessee. She graduated summa cum laude from The University of Alabama with a focus in public relations and political science.
    Serving in the Trump Administration
    Adam Telle has been advanced out of the Armed Services Committee and Environment and Public Works Committee to lead the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works. Telle has served as Hagerty’s Chief of Staff over the last four years and will continue to serve Hagerty while his nomination is pending before the Senate. Telle served during the first Trump Administration as the White House’s Senate lead in its Office of Legislative Affairs.  Prior to that role, Telle served as the top staff member on the Senate Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Homeland Security and as the top policy advisor to the late Senator Thad Cochran. Telle holds degrees in computer science and journalism from Mississippi State University.
    Jim Durrett is now the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Vice President and Deputy Assistant to the President. Previously, he served as Deputy Chief of Operations for Senator Hagerty. Durrett is a native of Clarksville, Tennessee.
    Luke Pettit has been advanced out of the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee to be Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Financial Institutions. Pettit has served as Senator Hagerty’s Senior Policy Advisor and will continue to serve Hagerty while his nomination is pending before the Senate. Previously, he worked at the Senate Banking Committee, Bridgewater Associates, and the Federal Reserve. Luke holds a B.A from the University of Pennsylvania, and graduate degrees from the London School of Economics and Johns Hopkins University.
    Jonathan Greenstein is nominated to be Deputy Undersecretary of the Treasury for International Finance. Previously, he served as Senator Hagerty’s Senior Policy Advisor. Greenstein is a graduate of Harvard Business School and Yale Law School.
    Daniel Zimmerman has been confirmed to be the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs. Zimmerman previously served in a Congressional Executive Fellowship in the office of Senator Hagerty. He previously has held many roles in the agency realm, and holds both a bachelor’s degree from Asbury University and a master’s degree from the Patterson School of Diplomacy at the University of Kentucky.
    Julia Hahn is serving as the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Department for the Office of Public Affairs. Hahn joins the Department after serving as Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications for Senator Hagerty. Prior to the Senate, Hahn served in the first Trump White House over all four years, most recently as Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy White House Communications Director. Before that, she served as Special Assistant to the President and Director of Rapid Response and Surrogate Operations. Hahn has also worked in media as the Executive Producer of The Laura Ingraham Show and a reporter at Breitbart News. She also worked on Capitol Hill as Press Secretary to former Congressman Dave Brat. Hahn graduated from the University of Chicago with a BA in Philosophy.
    Clark Milner is serving as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor for Policy, focusing primarily on domestic policy. Milner formerly served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Chief Counsel to Senator Bill Hagerty. Milner previously served as Deputy Counsel to Governor Bill Lee.
    Natalie McIntyre currently serves as a Special Assistant to the President for the Office of Legislative Affairs where she handles the Healthcare, Education, Labor, Banking, and Agriculture portfolio. Previously, she was Senator Hagerty’s Legislative Director overseeing the legislative team and managing the Health, Education, Labor, Pension, and Veterans portfolio. Prior to her role in Hagerty’s office, she was part of the legislative office at OMB where she managed the Senate offices. She also served as a Senior Policy Advisor and White House liaison at ONDCP.
    Jason Hoffman is currently the Executive Secretary at the White House Office of Management and Budget. Hoffman formerly served as a Policy Advisor for Senator Hagerty, focusing on homeland security and judiciary issues. Previously, he worked at the Office of Management and Budget during President Trump’s first term and as a Legislative Assistant in the U.S. House of Representatives.Nels Nordquist is serving as Deputy Assistant to the President for International Economic Policy and Deputy Director of the National Economic Council. Nordquist was Senior Fellow for Economic Policy in the office of Senator Hagerty. In addition, his prior service includes as Staff Director for the National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions Subcommittee of the House Financial Services Committee. From 2018-2021, Nordquist worked in the National Security Council and National Economic Council, first as Director for Trade & Investment and later as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for International Economic Policy. Nordquist graduated from Stanford and earned an MBA from the University of Virginia.
    Joel Rayburn is the Trump Administration’s nominee to be Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs. He is a historian, former diplomat, and retired military officer who previously served as special advisor for Middle East affairs in the office of Senator Hagerty. Rayburn is currently a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute. In the first Trump Administration, he served as a senior director on the National Security Council staff and, from July 2018 to January 2021, as the U.S. special envoy for Syria. Before joining the State Department, Rayburn served 26 years as a US Army officer and co-authored the Army’s official history of the Iraq War. He holds an MA in history from Texas A&M University and an MS in strategic studies from the National War College.
    Kevin Kim serves as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the State Department’s Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs. He previously worked as a National Security Fellow for Senator Hagerty. Kim was also the Senior Advisor to the Special Presidential Envoy for Arms Control Marshall Billingslea as part of the U.S. delegation to the 2020 U.S.-Russia arms control negotiations.  From 2018 to 2020, he served as the Chief of Staff to the Special Representative for North Korea and the Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun and worked closely with then-U.S. Ambassador to Japan Hagerty as he participated in various rounds of U.S.-DPRK nuclear negotiations. Kim received a BA from the Johns Hopkins University, MA from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in International Relations from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.
    Daniel Tirosh now serves on the National Security Council. Tirosh previously served as Deputy National Security Advisor and Counsel for Senator Hagerty. He holds a bachelor’s degree from University of California, Santa Cruz, and graduated from Stanford Law School.
    Walton Stivender Mears has taken on a new role as scheduler for Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner. Mears joined HUD earlier this year after serving as Director of Scheduling for Senator Hagerty. She previously handled scheduling and assisted the chief of staff for Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) and as a Staff Assistant for Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL). Mears is a graduate of Auburn University.
    J. Cal Mitchell is serving as Special Advisor for the Office of Legislative Affairs at the U.S. Department of Treasury. He joins the Treasury Department after serving as Personal Aide to Senator Hagerty. Mitchell is a graduate of Hampden-Sydney College.
    Nick Checker, a former national security fellow for Senator Hagerty, currently serves as Deputy Executive Secretary on the National Security Council. In that role, Checker provides senior-level review of NSC products for substance, policy relevance, and appropriateness for the President and senior White House officials. Checker has spent the last decade prior to his service on Senator Hagerty’s staff at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) as a military analyst covering conflicts in the greater Middle East. Most recently, Checker worked in CIA’s office of Congressional Affairs, where he supported the confirmation process for Director John Ratcliffe. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from the University of Wisconsin and a master’s degree in Security Studies from Georgetown University.
    Nicholas Elliot is the Confidential Assistant and Policy Advisor to the President’s Council of Advisors on Digital Assets. Previously, Elliot worked on Senator Hagerty’s 2020 campaign team and spent nearly four years working for Senator Hagerty on the Senator’s financial services and banking portfolio, where he advanced the Senator’s work on the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Elliot is a graduate of Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business where he received a BS in Business Administration with a major in Finance and a minor in Mandarin.
    Taylor Asher serves as Senior Policy Advisor to Chairman Paul Atkins. From April 2023 to January 2025, Asher served as Policy Advisor and Confidential Assistant to Commissioner Uyeda. Prior to his time at the SEC, Asher was Personal Aide to Senator Hagerty. His tenure in public service began with Congresswoman Julia Letlow’s Office, where he served as Staff Assistant and Intern Manager. Asher is currently pursuing a Master of Economics at George Mason University. He holds a Master of Finance with an Energy Specialization as well as a Bachelor of Science in Management from Tulane University. He is originally from Nashville, Tennessee.
    Cole Bornefeld will be serving as Director of Correspondence for the Office of the Vice President. He previously served as a Legislative Aide to Hagerty, assisting in the Judiciary, Homeland Security, Commerce, and Rules portfolio. Bornefeld previously served as a Legislative Correspondent, Staff Assistant, and Intern in Senator Hagerty’s office. He graduated from Western Kentucky University with a bachelor’s degree in political science and public relations.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville Introduces Bill to Strengthen Benefits for American Workers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) in cosponsoring the Unlocking Benefits for Independent Workers Act, which establishes a safe harbor under federal law for companies that would like to voluntarily provide employee benefits. This would apply to any benefit or protection commonly provided to full-time employees, such as retirement and health care benefits. This will ultimately strengthen workplace benefits for independent workers.

    “Our labor laws are in desperate need of modernizing,” said Sen. Tuberville. “Our independent contract workers shouldn’t be barred from accessing their hard-earned health care and retirement benefits. The workforce is ever evolving in President Trump’s America First economy, and our bill takes great strides to make sure American workers are protected.” 

    Sens. Tuberville and Cassidy were joined by Sens. Ted Budd (R-NC) and Tim Scott (R-SC) in cosponsoring the legislation.

    Read full text of the legislation here. 

    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville Introduces Bill to Strengthen Benefits for American Workers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) in cosponsoring the Unlocking Benefits for Independent Workers Act, which establishes a safe harbor under federal law for companies that would like to voluntarily provide employee benefits. This would apply to any benefit or protection commonly provided to full-time employees, such as retirement and health care benefits. This will ultimately strengthen workplace benefits for independent workers.

    “Our labor laws are in desperate need of modernizing,” said Sen. Tuberville. “Our independent contract workers shouldn’t be barred from accessing their hard-earned health care and retirement benefits. The workforce is ever evolving in President Trump’s America First economy, and our bill takes great strides to make sure American workers are protected.” 

    Sens. Tuberville and Cassidy were joined by Sens. Ted Budd (R-NC) and Tim Scott (R-SC) in cosponsoring the legislation.

    Read full text of the legislation here. 

    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News 07/9/2025 Blackburn Releases Fact Sheet and Video Debunking Democrats’ Lies on the One Big Beautiful Bill and Highlighting Wins for Tennesseans

    US Senate News:

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

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released a fact sheet, “Fiction v. Fact: Exposing Democrats’ Lies About the One Big Beautiful Bill,” to set the record straight on how the law will not cut Medicaid benefits for Tennesseans, provides historic tax relief, and gives low-income workers the largest percentage reduction in their tax liability.

    Senator Blackburn also released a video highlighting the once-in-a-generation victories for Tennesseans in the One Big Beautiful Bill, including the key provisions she secured. On behalf of Tennesseans, Senator Blackburn led the fight to provide tax relief for seniors and independent music creators; help local law enforcement enforce immigration laws; require DNA testing and fingerprinting of illegal alien children to protect them from exploitation; make the enhanced child tax credit permanent; and secure additional funding for Oak Ridge National Lab and the Coast Guard in Memphis. 

    Click here to download this video of Senator Blackburn highlighting the wins for Tennesseans.

    “Instead of telling the truth about how the One Big Beautiful Bill will improve life for Americans and Tennesseans, Democrats are resorting to fearmongering and lies,” said Senator Blackburn.“The facts are clear: this bill delivers historic tax relief, boosts wages, saves and creates jobs, provides the largest-ever investment in border security, eliminates wasteful spending, and bolsters the military. Tennesseans have every reason to celebrate now that the One Big Beautiful Bill is the law of the land.”

    Click here to download this fact sheet.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News 07/9/2025 Blackburn Releases Fact Sheet and Video Debunking Democrats’ Lies on the One Big Beautiful Bill and Highlighting Wins for Tennesseans

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released a fact sheet, “Fiction v. Fact: Exposing Democrats’ Lies About the One Big Beautiful Bill,” to set the record straight on how the law will not cut Medicaid benefits for Tennesseans, provides historic tax relief, and gives low-income workers the largest percentage reduction in their tax liability.
    Senator Blackburn also released a video highlighting the once-in-a-generation victories for Tennesseans in the One Big Beautiful Bill, including the key provisions she secured. On behalf of Tennesseans, Senator Blackburn led the fight to provide tax relief for seniors and independent music creators; help local law enforcement enforce immigration laws; require DNA testing and fingerprinting of illegal alien children to protect them from exploitation; make the enhanced child tax credit permanent; and secure additional funding for Oak Ridge National Lab and the Coast Guard in Memphis. 

    Click here to download this video of Senator Blackburn highlighting the wins for Tennesseans.
    “Instead of telling the truth about how the One Big Beautiful Bill will improve life for Americans and Tennesseans, Democrats are resorting to fearmongering and lies,” said Senator Blackburn.“The facts are clear: this bill delivers historic tax relief, boosts wages, saves and creates jobs, provides the largest-ever investment in border security, eliminates wasteful spending, and bolsters the military. Tennesseans have every reason to celebrate now that the One Big Beautiful Bill is the law of the land.”

    Click here to download this fact sheet.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News 07/9/2025 Blackburn Releases Fact Sheet and Video Debunking Democrats’ Lies on the One Big Beautiful Bill and Highlighting Wins for Tennesseans

    US Senate News:

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

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released a fact sheet, “Fiction v. Fact: Exposing Democrats’ Lies About the One Big Beautiful Bill,” to set the record straight on how the law will not cut Medicaid benefits for Tennesseans, provides historic tax relief, and gives low-income workers the largest percentage reduction in their tax liability.

    Senator Blackburn also released a video highlighting the once-in-a-generation victories for Tennesseans in the One Big Beautiful Bill, including the key provisions she secured. On behalf of Tennesseans, Senator Blackburn led the fight to provide tax relief for seniors and independent music creators; help local law enforcement enforce immigration laws; require DNA testing and fingerprinting of illegal alien children to protect them from exploitation; make the enhanced child tax credit permanent; and secure additional funding for Oak Ridge National Lab and the Coast Guard in Memphis. 

    Click here to download this video of Senator Blackburn highlighting the wins for Tennesseans.

    “Instead of telling the truth about how the One Big Beautiful Bill will improve life for Americans and Tennesseans, Democrats are resorting to fearmongering and lies,” said Senator Blackburn.“The facts are clear: this bill delivers historic tax relief, boosts wages, saves and creates jobs, provides the largest-ever investment in border security, eliminates wasteful spending, and bolsters the military. Tennesseans have every reason to celebrate now that the One Big Beautiful Bill is the law of the land.”

    Click here to download this fact sheet.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy, Blumenthal Support Legislation to Fund Community Violence Intervention

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    July 09, 2025

    WASHINGTON–U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) co-sponsored the Break the Cycle of Violence Act, legislation that would create a new Office of Community Violence Intervention (CVI) and a new grant program within the Department of Health and Human Services to award $5 billion in grants to community-based, nonprofit organizations and eligible units of local government to create or support evidence-based and prevention programs to interrupt cycles of violence. U.S. Representative Steven Horsford (D-Nev.-04) introduced companion legislation in the House.

    “Community violence intervention programs work – we’ve seen proof of that in Connecticut and in cities across the country. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act made a historic $250 million investment in these programs, helping lead to the largest two-year drop in gun violence rates in our country’s history. This legislation doubles down on that investment and makes sure we keep putting federal dollars behind evidence-based strategies that save lives and make communities safe,” said Murphy.

    “The gun violence epidemic requires tested and true community-centered solutions to break tragic cycles of violence. Here in Connecticut, dozens of organizations are saving lives through community violence intervention programs, but they do so with severely limited resources. While the Trump Administration slashes the life-saving grants these organizations depend on, our Break the Cycle of Violence Act makes investments that will save lives and make our communities safer,” said Blumenthal.

    Murphy’s past support for robust community-based violence intervention programs includes his Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), which provided millions in grants to community-based nonprofits that directly provided counseling and support to at-risk youth, and families traumatized by gun violence. On day one of his presidency, President Trump shut down the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention responsible for coordinating efforts across the federal government and working with states and local governments to identify available resources for impacted communities. On April 30th, the Department of Education (ED) notified grant recipients of the School-Based Mental Health Services (SBMH) and Mental Health Service Professional (MHSP) Grant Programs, which BSCA funded, that their funding would not be continued after this fiscal year.

    The Break the Cycle of Violence Act provisions include:

    • $5 billion investment in anti-violence programs to create and support violence interruption and crisis management initiatives.
    • $1.5 billion investment in workforce training and job opportunities, including improved youth employment and training activities, paid work experience for school aged youth, and partnerships with community-based organizations to serve youth in high-crime and high-poverty areas.
    • An Office of Community Violence Intervention at HHS to implement evidence-based violence reduction initiatives.
    • A Community Violence Intervention Advisory Committee to ensure people with expertise in community violence intervention have a voice in CVI policies.
    • A National Community Violence Response Center to provide technical assistance for implementing community violence intervention and prevention programs.

    The bill is endorsed by Community Justice, Sandy Hook Promise, Giffords Gun Violence Prevention & Advocacy, and Everytown for Gun Safety.

    The Break the Cycle of Violence Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).

    To read the full text of the bill, click here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy, Blumenthal Support Legislation to Fund Community Violence Intervention

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    July 09, 2025

    WASHINGTON–U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) co-sponsored the Break the Cycle of Violence Act, legislation that would create a new Office of Community Violence Intervention (CVI) and a new grant program within the Department of Health and Human Services to award $5 billion in grants to community-based, nonprofit organizations and eligible units of local government to create or support evidence-based and prevention programs to interrupt cycles of violence. U.S. Representative Steven Horsford (D-Nev.-04) introduced companion legislation in the House.
    “Community violence intervention programs work – we’ve seen proof of that in Connecticut and in cities across the country. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act made a historic $250 million investment in these programs, helping lead to the largest two-year drop in gun violence rates in our country’s history. This legislation doubles down on that investment and makes sure we keep putting federal dollars behind evidence-based strategies that save lives and make communities safe,” said Murphy.
    “The gun violence epidemic requires tested and true community-centered solutions to break tragic cycles of violence. Here in Connecticut, dozens of organizations are saving lives through community violence intervention programs, but they do so with severely limited resources. While the Trump Administration slashes the life-saving grants these organizations depend on, our Break the Cycle of Violence Act makes investments that will save lives and make our communities safer,” said Blumenthal.
    Murphy’s past support for robust community-based violence intervention programs includes his Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), which provided millions in grants to community-based nonprofits that directly provided counseling and support to at-risk youth, and families traumatized by gun violence. On day one of his presidency, President Trump shut down the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention responsible for coordinating efforts across the federal government and working with states and local governments to identify available resources for impacted communities. On April 30th, the Department of Education (ED) notified grant recipients of the School-Based Mental Health Services (SBMH) and Mental Health Service Professional (MHSP) Grant Programs, which BSCA funded, that their funding would not be continued after this fiscal year.
    The Break the Cycle of Violence Act provisions include:
    $5 billion investment in anti-violence programs to create and support violence interruption and crisis management initiatives.
    $1.5 billion investment in workforce training and job opportunities, including improved youth employment and training activities, paid work experience for school aged youth, and partnerships with community-based organizations to serve youth in high-crime and high-poverty areas.
    An Office of Community Violence Intervention at HHS to implement evidence-based violence reduction initiatives.
    A Community Violence Intervention Advisory Committee to ensure people with expertise in community violence intervention have a voice in CVI policies.
    A National Community Violence Response Center to provide technical assistance for implementing community violence intervention and prevention programs.
    The bill is endorsed by Community Justice, Sandy Hook Promise, Giffords Gun Violence Prevention & Advocacy, and Everytown for Gun Safety.
    The Break the Cycle of Violence Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).
    To read the full text of the bill, click here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy, Blumenthal Support Legislation to Fund Community Violence Intervention

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    July 09, 2025

    WASHINGTON–U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) co-sponsored the Break the Cycle of Violence Act, legislation that would create a new Office of Community Violence Intervention (CVI) and a new grant program within the Department of Health and Human Services to award $5 billion in grants to community-based, nonprofit organizations and eligible units of local government to create or support evidence-based and prevention programs to interrupt cycles of violence. U.S. Representative Steven Horsford (D-Nev.-04) introduced companion legislation in the House.

    “Community violence intervention programs work – we’ve seen proof of that in Connecticut and in cities across the country. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act made a historic $250 million investment in these programs, helping lead to the largest two-year drop in gun violence rates in our country’s history. This legislation doubles down on that investment and makes sure we keep putting federal dollars behind evidence-based strategies that save lives and make communities safe,” said Murphy.

    “The gun violence epidemic requires tested and true community-centered solutions to break tragic cycles of violence. Here in Connecticut, dozens of organizations are saving lives through community violence intervention programs, but they do so with severely limited resources. While the Trump Administration slashes the life-saving grants these organizations depend on, our Break the Cycle of Violence Act makes investments that will save lives and make our communities safer,” said Blumenthal.

    Murphy’s past support for robust community-based violence intervention programs includes his Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), which provided millions in grants to community-based nonprofits that directly provided counseling and support to at-risk youth, and families traumatized by gun violence. On day one of his presidency, President Trump shut down the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention responsible for coordinating efforts across the federal government and working with states and local governments to identify available resources for impacted communities. On April 30th, the Department of Education (ED) notified grant recipients of the School-Based Mental Health Services (SBMH) and Mental Health Service Professional (MHSP) Grant Programs, which BSCA funded, that their funding would not be continued after this fiscal year.

    The Break the Cycle of Violence Act provisions include:

    • $5 billion investment in anti-violence programs to create and support violence interruption and crisis management initiatives.
    • $1.5 billion investment in workforce training and job opportunities, including improved youth employment and training activities, paid work experience for school aged youth, and partnerships with community-based organizations to serve youth in high-crime and high-poverty areas.
    • An Office of Community Violence Intervention at HHS to implement evidence-based violence reduction initiatives.
    • A Community Violence Intervention Advisory Committee to ensure people with expertise in community violence intervention have a voice in CVI policies.
    • A National Community Violence Response Center to provide technical assistance for implementing community violence intervention and prevention programs.

    The bill is endorsed by Community Justice, Sandy Hook Promise, Giffords Gun Violence Prevention & Advocacy, and Everytown for Gun Safety.

    The Break the Cycle of Violence Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).

    To read the full text of the bill, click here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy Joins Bicameral Letter to Defense Secretary Hegseth to Rein In Dangerous, Wasteful “Golden Dome” Missile Plan

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    July 09, 2025

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, joined colleagues in a bicameral letter urging U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to refrain from mindlessly pouring resources into the Trump administration’s unproven and ill-defined “Golden Dome” comprehensive missile defense shield. The letter emphasized how Trump’s proposed Golden Dome program would be technically unfeasible, strategically unwise, and overwhelmingly expensive. Instead of making the U.S. homeland safer from missile threats, this program sets the stage for the Trump administration to waste hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars, open the door to enormous corruption, and set off a destabilizing nuclear arms race that would make Americans less safe.
    In the letter, the lawmakers wrote, “The Trump administration’s plans for Golden Dome could make it prohibitively expensive, operationally ineffective, massively corrupt, and detrimental to U.S. and global security by igniting a nuclear arms race with Russia and China. We are concerned that Golden Dome will be much more effective at wasting taxpayer dollars than countering missile attacks.”
    The lawmakers continued, “Countering a possible Russian or Chinese attack involving hundreds of warheads would require a much larger, more technologically advanced, and more costly system. That is why Congress, since 1999 on a bipartisan basis, has specifically said that U.S. national missile defenses should aim to counter only ‘limited’ threats, not Russian and Chinese arsenals. Golden Dome would overturn that long-standing consensus with the stroke of a pen.”
    The lawmakers requested responses to the following questions by July 21, 2025:
    What is the intended purpose of Golden Dome? How many missiles (and of what types) is it being designed to intercept? What system architecture will be used? Has the threat been validated as a requirement by the Joint Chiefs of Staff?
    How does the Administration plan to spend the proposed $175 billion on Golden Dome?
    What is the 20-year estimated cost of Golden Dome?
    How does the Administration plan to deal with known and anticipated countermeasures to space- and ground-based missile defense, including nuclear detonations in space?
    What aspects of the system would be based in space?
    Will the Administration propose a third missile defense interceptor site on the East Coast?
    How does the Pentagon plan to meet requirements for developmental and operational testing of the elements of the proposed system, given the very short timeline for deployment?
    How will the Administration award contracts under Golden Dome? Will SpaceX get preferential treatment?
    How does the Administration expect China and Russia to react to Golden Dome? How does the administration plan to reconcile its arms control goals with these reactions?
    The letter was co-signed in the U.S. Senate by U.S. Senators Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.); and in the U.S. House of Representatives by U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-Va.-8), John Garamendi (D-Calif.-8) Bill Foster (D-Ill.-11), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Greg Casar (D-Texas-35), and Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas-37).
    The full text of the letter is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy Joins Bicameral Letter to Defense Secretary Hegseth to Rein In Dangerous, Wasteful “Golden Dome” Missile Plan

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    July 09, 2025

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, joined colleagues in a bicameral letter urging U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to refrain from mindlessly pouring resources into the Trump administration’s unproven and ill-defined “Golden Dome” comprehensive missile defense shield. The letter emphasized how Trump’s proposed Golden Dome program would be technically unfeasible, strategically unwise, and overwhelmingly expensive. Instead of making the U.S. homeland safer from missile threats, this program sets the stage for the Trump administration to waste hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars, open the door to enormous corruption, and set off a destabilizing nuclear arms race that would make Americans less safe.

    In the letter, the lawmakers wrote, “The Trump administration’s plans for Golden Dome could make it prohibitively expensive, operationally ineffective, massively corrupt, and detrimental to U.S. and global security by igniting a nuclear arms race with Russia and China. We are concerned that Golden Dome will be much more effective at wasting taxpayer dollars than countering missile attacks.”

    The lawmakers continued, “Countering a possible Russian or Chinese attack involving hundreds of warheads would require a much larger, more technologically advanced, and more costly system. That is why Congress, since 1999 on a bipartisan basis, has specifically said that U.S. national missile defenses should aim to counter only ‘limited’ threats, not Russian and Chinese arsenals. Golden Dome would overturn that long-standing consensus with the stroke of a pen.”

    The lawmakers requested responses to the following questions by July 21, 2025:

    1. What is the intended purpose of Golden Dome? How many missiles (and of what types) is it being designed to intercept? What system architecture will be used? Has the threat been validated as a requirement by the Joint Chiefs of Staff?
    2. How does the Administration plan to spend the proposed $175 billion on Golden Dome?
    3. What is the 20-year estimated cost of Golden Dome?
    4. How does the Administration plan to deal with known and anticipated countermeasures to space- and ground-based missile defense, including nuclear detonations in space?
    5. What aspects of the system would be based in space?
    6. Will the Administration propose a third missile defense interceptor site on the East Coast?
    7. How does the Pentagon plan to meet requirements for developmental and operational testing of the elements of the proposed system, given the very short timeline for deployment?
    8. How will the Administration award contracts under Golden Dome? Will SpaceX get preferential treatment?
    9. How does the Administration expect China and Russia to react to Golden Dome? How does the administration plan to reconcile its arms control goals with these reactions?

    The letter was co-signed in the U.S. Senate by U.S. Senators Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.); and in the U.S. House of Representatives by U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-Va.-8), John Garamendi (D-Calif.-8) Bill Foster (D-Ill.-11), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Greg Casar (D-Texas-35), and Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas-37).

    The full text of the letter is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy Joins Bicameral Letter to Defense Secretary Hegseth to Rein In Dangerous, Wasteful “Golden Dome” Missile Plan

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    July 09, 2025

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, joined colleagues in a bicameral letter urging U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to refrain from mindlessly pouring resources into the Trump administration’s unproven and ill-defined “Golden Dome” comprehensive missile defense shield. The letter emphasized how Trump’s proposed Golden Dome program would be technically unfeasible, strategically unwise, and overwhelmingly expensive. Instead of making the U.S. homeland safer from missile threats, this program sets the stage for the Trump administration to waste hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars, open the door to enormous corruption, and set off a destabilizing nuclear arms race that would make Americans less safe.

    In the letter, the lawmakers wrote, “The Trump administration’s plans for Golden Dome could make it prohibitively expensive, operationally ineffective, massively corrupt, and detrimental to U.S. and global security by igniting a nuclear arms race with Russia and China. We are concerned that Golden Dome will be much more effective at wasting taxpayer dollars than countering missile attacks.”

    The lawmakers continued, “Countering a possible Russian or Chinese attack involving hundreds of warheads would require a much larger, more technologically advanced, and more costly system. That is why Congress, since 1999 on a bipartisan basis, has specifically said that U.S. national missile defenses should aim to counter only ‘limited’ threats, not Russian and Chinese arsenals. Golden Dome would overturn that long-standing consensus with the stroke of a pen.”

    The lawmakers requested responses to the following questions by July 21, 2025:

    1. What is the intended purpose of Golden Dome? How many missiles (and of what types) is it being designed to intercept? What system architecture will be used? Has the threat been validated as a requirement by the Joint Chiefs of Staff?
    2. How does the Administration plan to spend the proposed $175 billion on Golden Dome?
    3. What is the 20-year estimated cost of Golden Dome?
    4. How does the Administration plan to deal with known and anticipated countermeasures to space- and ground-based missile defense, including nuclear detonations in space?
    5. What aspects of the system would be based in space?
    6. Will the Administration propose a third missile defense interceptor site on the East Coast?
    7. How does the Pentagon plan to meet requirements for developmental and operational testing of the elements of the proposed system, given the very short timeline for deployment?
    8. How will the Administration award contracts under Golden Dome? Will SpaceX get preferential treatment?
    9. How does the Administration expect China and Russia to react to Golden Dome? How does the administration plan to reconcile its arms control goals with these reactions?

    The letter was co-signed in the U.S. Senate by U.S. Senators Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.); and in the U.S. House of Representatives by U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-Va.-8), John Garamendi (D-Calif.-8) Bill Foster (D-Ill.-11), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Greg Casar (D-Texas-35), and Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas-37).

    The full text of the letter is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto, Rosen Introduce Bill to Support Veterans Exposed to Radiation and Toxins While Serving in Nevada

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), introduced legislation to ensure service members and veterans who served at classified locations within the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR) since 1951 are able to prove that they served there, and can finally get the PACT Act benefits they deserve following exposure to radiation and toxins. 
    From the 1950s through the 1990s, the NTTR – and the Nevada Test Site contained within it – conducted over 900 explosive nuclear weapons tests and other dangerous, toxic activities. Currently, due to issues with the classified nature of their location while serving, veterans who served at the NTTR are unable to prove their service there to the VA and, therefore, are unable to receive care and benefits connected with exposure to radiation and toxins from burn pits. The Fighting for the Overlooked Recognition of Groups Operating in Toxic Test Environments in Nevada (FORGOTTEN) Veterans Act would help to correct a historic wrong and inequity by officially recognizing the risk that veterans assumed during their service at the NTTR, and other Department of Energy (DOE) Covered Facilities, where DOE employees are already automatically presumed to have been exposed, while the service members who served alongside them are not. Senator Rosen also worked to secure commitments from multiple high-ranking military officials to address this care gap.
    “As a nation, it is our obligation to take care of all veterans once their service has ended,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “This is especially true for veterans of the Nevada Test and Training Range, who faced toxic exposure daily as part of their duties and should have parity with their civilian counterparts. I will continue to push for these brave men and women to receive the care and benefits they’re due.”
    “Veterans have been exposed to radiation and toxic chemicals as a result of their selfless service to our nation, and the least we can do is ensure they get the treatment they need,” said Senator Rosen. “I’m introducing this bill to recognize the radiation and toxic exposure experienced at the Nevada Test and Training Range so our veterans can access the care and benefits they deserve. It is unconscionable that one U.S. government agency deems portions of the range as contaminated and their personnel exposed, while another U.S. government agency does not. I’ll continue working to make sure we take care of our veterans and their loved ones.”
    “Today, after decades of denial by our own government, the veterans who were exposed to toxic radiation and materials on the Nevada Test and Training Range are closer than ever to getting the recognition and benefits they’ve earned,” said Dave Crete, Chairman of The Invisible Enemy, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting veterans who have experienced toxic exposure at the Nevada Test and Training Range. “We thank Senators Rosen and Cortez Masto for making the FORGOTTEN Veterans Act a legislative priority in the U.S. Senate, and all of our allies in Congress who are dedicated to righting this wrong, and securing justice for the brave men and women who risked their lives and lost their lives fighting this invisible enemy.”
    Specifically, the FORGOTTEN Veterans Act would: 
    Classify the Nevada Test and Training Range as contaminated.
    Require the Department of Defense (DOD) to document all exposures, including those that occur domestically, into the service member’s Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record, so it can be seen by the VA when service members transition to civilian life, while still protecting the classified nature of the location of their service. 
    Require the Secretary of the Air Force to identify all those who served within the NTTR since January 27, 1951, establish a process for service members and veterans to provide proof of their assignment within the NTTR, and make all efforts to identify individuals, without requiring them to submit evidence of their stationing.
    Establish a presumption of toxic exposure for DOD personnel who served at any Department of Energy (DOE) Covered Facilities – such as those within the NTTR – where DOE employees have a presumption of exposure and are covered under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act. One such DOE-covered facility within the NTTR is the Tonopah Test Range, which is both a DOE and DOD installation. 
    Add service at military installations within the NTTR to the list of recognized “radiation-risk activities” under VA law, dating back to January 27, 1951, including veterans who participated in the development, construction, operation, or maintenance of military installations at NTTR—beyond just nuclear test observers.
    Establish a presumption of toxic exposure for veterans who served on or above NTTR, easing the burden of proof in VA claims.
    Expand presumptive conditions for service connection by adding lipomas and tumor-related conditions to the list of automatically presumed service-connected illnesses.
    Senator Cortez Masto is a champion for our service members and veterans. She worked across the aisle to get legislation helping veterans exposed to Agent Orange and expanding benefits for women veterans signed into law. The senator sent a letter to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Collins demanding he provide answers on the mass terminations of personnel across the VA, specifically those in Nevada, and how those terminations would impact services to Nevada veterans.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hickenlooper, Bennet, DeGette, Pettersen, Crow, Neguse Demand Answers on $70 Million in Stalled Funding for Colorado Schools

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Hickenlooper – Colorado

    Trump administration recently withheld $7 billion from schools nationwide

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet along with Representatives Diana DeGette, Brittany Pettersen, Jason Crow, and Joe Neguse called on Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to address the Department of Education’s decision to withhold $70 million in federal funding for Colorado schools.

    “School Districts and after-school programs across our state rightfully understood they would receive these mandatory funds after they were authorized by Congress,” wrote the lawmakers. “Announcing funding delays just over a month before the school year starts has forced Colorado school districts and after-school programs into an unnecessary, last minute scramble to ensure students and parents have the support they need for a successful year.”

    The frozen Title II, III, and IV federal funding supports elementary and secondary teacher training and professional development, family engagement programs, and initiatives that create safer school environments for all students.

    School districts had already built their budgets around these grants. The Department of Education froze the funding days before school districts expected to receive the funding.

    The text of the letter is available HERE and below.

    Dear Secretary McMahon:

    We write today in response to the Department of Education’s (the Department) decision to continue to withhold Title II, III, and IV federal funds. School districts throughout Colorado are depending on these funds to deliver critical services to students across the state. The delay and uncertainty around the distribution of this funding have made it incredibly difficult for school districts to plan and hire staff for the next school year.

    As you are aware, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act provides $29 billion in mandatory funding for various programs and activities that support students, teachers, and communities. Titles II, III, and IV, among other activities, provide funding to support elementary and secondary teacher retention and professional development, family engagement programs, and initiatives that create safer school environments for all students. This funding, which is less than .5% of the overall federal budget, supports programs in Colorado that reduce chronic absenteeism in schools, help districts hire teachers, and fund afterschool programs. This money is appropriated by Congress for these purposes and was signed into law by President Trump in March as part of the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025.

    While we understand that the Department is still reviewing this funding, the unpredictability has already caused disruptions for school districts. School Districts and after-school programs across our state rightfully understood they would receive these mandatory funds after they were authorized by Congress. Announcing funding delays just over a month before the school year starts has forced Colorado school districts and after-school programs into an unnecessary, last minute scramble to ensure students and parents have the support they need for a successful year.

    To that end, please provide clarity to our offices on when the Department will provide Colorado schools with their full funding disbursement by July 18, 2025. In your response, please confirm that these funds will be fully dispersed before the 2025-2026 school year begins.

    Our education system must ensure that every American student has the opportunity to thrive in our classrooms, and we stand ready to work with you to achieve this goal.

    Thank you for your attention to this important matter. We look forward to hearing the Department’s response.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: The One Big Beautiful Bill Invests in Families

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo

    Washington, D.C.–The One Big Beautiful Bill Act invests in American families by making the Trump tax cuts permanent, enhancing the child tax credit and strengthening childcare assistance. Together, these measures make raising a family more affordable for hardworking taxpayers. 

    “This legislation not only prevents the biggest tax hike in history, but it also provides significant tax relief for hardworking families through measures like increasing and making the doubled child tax credit permanent, and enhancing tax benefits that make child care more affordable,” said Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho).

    Key wins:

    • Permanent lower tax rates, letting Americans keep more of their hard-earned money.
    • Permanent increased and enhanced $2,200 child tax credit for tens of millions of families.
    • Permanent increased and enhanced standard deduction, claimed by over 90 percent of taxpayers.
    • Strengthens employer-provided childcare credit and boosts childcare assistance.
    • Establishes savings accounts for newborns, building financial security for the next generation.  

    What they are saying:

    “We applaud the Senate’s action to progress this critical legislation and expand upon President Trump’s tax relief for hardworking Americans. The One, Big, Beautiful Bill will protect families and small businesses from the largest tax hike in history and deliver No Tax on Tips, No Tax on Overtime, and new tax cuts for seniors. The passage of this bill will deliver the permanence and certainty both individual taxpayers and businesses.” – U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent

    “Passing an extension and permanency for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) out of the Senate is the next step in extending tax cuts for working Americans. The TCJA was an unmitigated success that benefitted American families, workers, and the overall economy.” – Americans for Prosperity

    Click HERE to learn more about the Finance Committee provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Following Deadly Flooding, Luján Sounds Alarm on Dangerous Republican Plan to Gut Public Broadcasting

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)
    In Every Corner of New Mexico, New Mexicans Rely on Public Broadcasting to Stay Safe During Natural Disasters and Connect with Trusted News
    WATCH Senator Luján’s Floor Speech HERE
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Media, took to the Senate floor to deliver a floor speech calling out the Trump administration’s plan to strip $1.1 billion of previously allocated federal funding for public radio and television stations nationwide. Public broadcasting is critical to stay informed and safe during natural disasters and to connect with trusted news. Senator Luján’s floor speech comes amid deadly flooding in New Mexico and Texas.
    An excerpt of Senator Luján’s floor speech is available below:
    New Mexico is far too familiar with the devastation and destruction that come with fires, flooding, and other natural disasters.
    Three years ago, we experienced one of the worst fires in our state’s history with the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon fire.
    A critical part of that response was our local radio stations and public broadcasters disseminating information in real-time about evacuations, shelter information, food drives, and state and federal resources.
    As a matter of fact, at a time when mobile phones weren’t working, most communications were down, it was only these local radio stations who were also benefiting from the transmitters from public broadcasting that they were able to communicate with so many constituents.
    These communications are now under attack by Congressional Republicans and the White House.
    Senate Democrats are sounding the alarm and leading the charge to stop this dangerous rescission package before it harms families, communities, and the public broadcasting that they rely on.
    From the moment we wake up to the time we turn in for the night, New Mexicans rely on radio and public broadcasting to stay safe during natural disasters and to connect with trusted news, educational programming, and our favorite New Mexico musicians. Sometimes even a basketball game or two.
    Over the past several weeks, I have received texts, calls, and people coming to my office, pleading with us in the United States Senate to save public radio and public broadcasting.
    New Mexicans who work at radio stations are calling in to say they’re worried about losing their jobs.
    From every corner of our state, New Mexicans are speaking out with one clear message: do not mess with public broadcasting.
    Radio is one of the most dependable ways to get information out when disaster strikes a community.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rosen, Banks Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen U.S.-Israel Military Stockpile 

    US Senate News:

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

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Jim Banks (R-IN) introduced a bill to strengthen the U.S.-Israel weapons stockpile. The bipartisan Weapons Resupply, Stockpile, and Alliance-Israel Act would extend a program that lets the U.S. store weapons and military equipment in Israel, which both countries can use in a crisis. Keeping this stockpile in place helps the U.S. stay ready for emergencies in the region and makes sure that Israel, one of America’s closest allies, has the tools it needs to defend itself.
    “I’m proud to help introduce this bipartisan legislation that will bolster our national security and strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship,” said Senator Rosen. “By extending the authorization for the War Reserves Stockpile in Israel, we are reinforcing our commitment to Israel and ensuring both American and Israeli forces have access to the critical resources they need to respond swiftly in times of crisis. This is about keeping Americans safe and supporting our allies.”
    “This bill strengthens America’s military readiness and ensures we’re prepared for any crisis in the region,” said Senator Banks. “Supporting Israel, our most important Middle East ally, directly protects U.S. interests and helps keep Americans safe.”
    Senator Rosen has consistently championed U.S.–Israel defense cooperation. In June, she returned from a visit to Israel, the West Bank, Jordan, and Iraq, pressing for stronger regional stability and deeper defense coordination. In April 2024, Senator Rosen helped pass a bipartisan national security package that included $4 billion in funding for Israel’s missile defense systems—Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow. She also urged her Senate colleagues to oppose resolutions that would restrict weapons for Israel, underscoring Israel’s right to defend itself from terrorist attacks.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rosen, Banks Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen U.S.-Israel Military Stockpile 

    US Senate News:

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

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Jim Banks (R-IN) introduced a bill to strengthen the U.S.-Israel weapons stockpile. The bipartisan Weapons Resupply, Stockpile, and Alliance-Israel Act would extend a program that lets the U.S. store weapons and military equipment in Israel, which both countries can use in a crisis. Keeping this stockpile in place helps the U.S. stay ready for emergencies in the region and makes sure that Israel, one of America’s closest allies, has the tools it needs to defend itself.
    “I’m proud to help introduce this bipartisan legislation that will bolster our national security and strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship,” said Senator Rosen. “By extending the authorization for the War Reserves Stockpile in Israel, we are reinforcing our commitment to Israel and ensuring both American and Israeli forces have access to the critical resources they need to respond swiftly in times of crisis. This is about keeping Americans safe and supporting our allies.”
    “This bill strengthens America’s military readiness and ensures we’re prepared for any crisis in the region,” said Senator Banks. “Supporting Israel, our most important Middle East ally, directly protects U.S. interests and helps keep Americans safe.”
    Senator Rosen has consistently championed U.S.–Israel defense cooperation. In June, she returned from a visit to Israel, the West Bank, Jordan, and Iraq, pressing for stronger regional stability and deeper defense coordination. In April 2024, Senator Rosen helped pass a bipartisan national security package that included $4 billion in funding for Israel’s missile defense systems—Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow. She also urged her Senate colleagues to oppose resolutions that would restrict weapons for Israel, underscoring Israel’s right to defend itself from terrorist attacks.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rosen, Banks Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen U.S.-Israel Military Stockpile 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Jim Banks (R-IN) introduced a bill to strengthen the U.S.-Israel weapons stockpile. The bipartisan Weapons Resupply, Stockpile, and Alliance-Israel Act would extend a program that lets the U.S. store weapons and military equipment in Israel, which both countries can use in a crisis. Keeping this stockpile in place helps the U.S. stay ready for emergencies in the region and makes sure that Israel, one of America’s closest allies, has the tools it needs to defend itself.
    “I’m proud to help introduce this bipartisan legislation that will bolster our national security and strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship,” said Senator Rosen. “By extending the authorization for the War Reserves Stockpile in Israel, we are reinforcing our commitment to Israel and ensuring both American and Israeli forces have access to the critical resources they need to respond swiftly in times of crisis. This is about keeping Americans safe and supporting our allies.”
    “This bill strengthens America’s military readiness and ensures we’re prepared for any crisis in the region,” said Senator Banks. “Supporting Israel, our most important Middle East ally, directly protects U.S. interests and helps keep Americans safe.”
    Senator Rosen has consistently championed U.S.–Israel defense cooperation. In June, she returned from a visit to Israel, the West Bank, Jordan, and Iraq, pressing for stronger regional stability and deeper defense coordination. In April 2024, Senator Rosen helped pass a bipartisan national security package that included $4 billion in funding for Israel’s missile defense systems—Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow. She also urged her Senate colleagues to oppose resolutions that would restrict weapons for Israel, underscoring Israel’s right to defend itself from terrorist attacks.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Merkley, Wyden, Hoyle: EPA Prioritizing J.H. Baxter Superfund Site Cleanup for Eugene Community

    US Senate News:

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

    July 09, 2025

    Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, alongside U.S. Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04), welcomed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) addition of the former J.H. Baxter site in Eugene to its Superfund National Priorities List (NPL)—an essential action, as sites included on the list are eligible to receive federal funding for long-term, permanent cleanup efforts.

    This announcement comes after Merkley led the Oregon lawmakers in pressing EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin to add the J.H. Baxter site to the Superfund NPL to safeguard the public health and environment of the Eugene community.

    “The EPA adding the old J.H. Baxter site to its Superfund National Priorities List is a huge step forward in addressing the dangerous contamination that’s long concerned folks living and working in West Eugene,” Merkley said. “This designation I pushed for means a timely and comprehensive cleanup of chemical substances at the site is now within reach—essential to protecting the health and environment of the Eugene community for generations to come.”

    “This Superfund announcement takes a significant public health step forward for Oregonians who make west Eugene their home and place of business,” Wyden said. “I’m glad the teamwork with Senator Merkley and Congresswoman Hoyle has generated this community win for the contaminated J.H. Baxter site, and I’ll keep watchdogging this process to make sure federal officials follow through fully on this commitment.

    “We raised our family in West Eugene and I know that our community has spent decades fighting to get the J.H. Baxter site cleaned up for the health of our community,” said Hoyle. “That’s why I joined Senators Wyden and Merkley in urging the EPA to take action, and I’m glad they listened. The Superfund designation is a critical step toward delivering the cleanup and accountability this community deserves.”

    The EPA Superfund NPL is the list of U.S. sites where historic releases of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants pose significant threats to human health and the environment—and this list now includes the J.H. Baxter site.

    For nearly 80 years, J.H. Baxter treated wood products at a 35-acre facility in West Eugene. Hazardous substances and classified probable carcinogens, including creosote and pentachlorophenol (PCP), were often used to treat wood products before the company ceased operations in January of 2022. But despite a halt in operations, toxic substances remained on site, contaminating soil and groundwater at the former facility and in the surrounding community.

    The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) sampling of the surrounding community in 2021 found elevated levels of dioxins – widening the original scope of response efforts. DEQ has started the work to cleanup properties with the highest levels of dioxins, and EPA’s Region 10 is currently conducting a Time Critical Removal Action (TCRA) at the site. While the TCRA is considered an interim measure to prevent additional releases of hazardous substances, it will not address all contamination.

    The Superfund NPL listing will now allow EPA to comprehensively address issues at the J.H. Baxter site, including by conducting a further evaluation of the nature and extent of the contamination, the risks posed by hazardous substances at the site, and ensure a thorough cleanup.

    A public meeting for the EPA to explain next steps in the Superfund process is slated for July 16 in Eugene. The agency expects Superfund site work to begin in early fall.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Merkley, Wyden, Hoyle: EPA Prioritizing J.H. Baxter Superfund Site Cleanup for Eugene Community

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)
    July 09, 2025
    Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, alongside U.S. Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04), welcomed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) addition of the former J.H. Baxter site in Eugene to its Superfund National Priorities List (NPL)—an essential action, as sites included on the list are eligible to receive federal funding for long-term, permanent cleanup efforts.
    This announcement comes after Merkley led the Oregon lawmakers in pressing EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin to add the J.H. Baxter site to the Superfund NPL to safeguard the public health and environment of the Eugene community.
    “The EPA adding the old J.H. Baxter site to its Superfund National Priorities List is a huge step forward in addressing the dangerous contamination that’s long concerned folks living and working in West Eugene,” Merkley said. “This designation I pushed for means a timely and comprehensive cleanup of chemical substances at the site is now within reach—essential to protecting the health and environment of the Eugene community for generations to come.”
    “This Superfund announcement takes a significant public health step forward for Oregonians who make west Eugene their home and place of business,” Wyden said. “I’m glad the teamwork with Senator Merkley and Congresswoman Hoyle has generated this community win for the contaminated J.H. Baxter site, and I’ll keep watchdogging this process to make sure federal officials follow through fully on this commitment.
    “We raised our family in West Eugene and I know that our community has spent decades fighting to get the J.H. Baxter site cleaned up for the health of our community,” said Hoyle. “That’s why I joined Senators Wyden and Merkley in urging the EPA to take action, and I’m glad they listened. The Superfund designation is a critical step toward delivering the cleanup and accountability this community deserves.”
    The EPA Superfund NPL is the list of U.S. sites where historic releases of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants pose significant threats to human health and the environment—and this list now includes the J.H. Baxter site.
    For nearly 80 years, J.H. Baxter treated wood products at a 35-acre facility in West Eugene. Hazardous substances and classified probable carcinogens, including creosote and pentachlorophenol (PCP), were often used to treat wood products before the company ceased operations in January of 2022. But despite a halt in operations, toxic substances remained on site, contaminating soil and groundwater at the former facility and in the surrounding community.
    The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) sampling of the surrounding community in 2021 found elevated levels of dioxins – widening the original scope of response efforts. DEQ has started the work to cleanup properties with the highest levels of dioxins, and EPA’s Region 10 is currently conducting a Time Critical Removal Action (TCRA) at the site. While the TCRA is considered an interim measure to prevent additional releases of hazardous substances, it will not address all contamination.
    The Superfund NPL listing will now allow EPA to comprehensively address issues at the J.H. Baxter site, including by conducting a further evaluation of the nature and extent of the contamination, the risks posed by hazardous substances at the site, and ensure a thorough cleanup.
    A public meeting for the EPA to explain next steps in the Superfund process is slated for July 16 in Eugene. The agency expects Superfund site work to begin in early fall.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Merkley, Wyden, Hoyle: EPA Prioritizing J.H. Baxter Superfund Site Cleanup for Eugene Community

    US Senate News:

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

    July 09, 2025

    Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, alongside U.S. Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04), welcomed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) addition of the former J.H. Baxter site in Eugene to its Superfund National Priorities List (NPL)—an essential action, as sites included on the list are eligible to receive federal funding for long-term, permanent cleanup efforts.

    This announcement comes after Merkley led the Oregon lawmakers in pressing EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin to add the J.H. Baxter site to the Superfund NPL to safeguard the public health and environment of the Eugene community.

    “The EPA adding the old J.H. Baxter site to its Superfund National Priorities List is a huge step forward in addressing the dangerous contamination that’s long concerned folks living and working in West Eugene,” Merkley said. “This designation I pushed for means a timely and comprehensive cleanup of chemical substances at the site is now within reach—essential to protecting the health and environment of the Eugene community for generations to come.”

    “This Superfund announcement takes a significant public health step forward for Oregonians who make west Eugene their home and place of business,” Wyden said. “I’m glad the teamwork with Senator Merkley and Congresswoman Hoyle has generated this community win for the contaminated J.H. Baxter site, and I’ll keep watchdogging this process to make sure federal officials follow through fully on this commitment.

    “We raised our family in West Eugene and I know that our community has spent decades fighting to get the J.H. Baxter site cleaned up for the health of our community,” said Hoyle. “That’s why I joined Senators Wyden and Merkley in urging the EPA to take action, and I’m glad they listened. The Superfund designation is a critical step toward delivering the cleanup and accountability this community deserves.”

    The EPA Superfund NPL is the list of U.S. sites where historic releases of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants pose significant threats to human health and the environment—and this list now includes the J.H. Baxter site.

    For nearly 80 years, J.H. Baxter treated wood products at a 35-acre facility in West Eugene. Hazardous substances and classified probable carcinogens, including creosote and pentachlorophenol (PCP), were often used to treat wood products before the company ceased operations in January of 2022. But despite a halt in operations, toxic substances remained on site, contaminating soil and groundwater at the former facility and in the surrounding community.

    The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) sampling of the surrounding community in 2021 found elevated levels of dioxins – widening the original scope of response efforts. DEQ has started the work to cleanup properties with the highest levels of dioxins, and EPA’s Region 10 is currently conducting a Time Critical Removal Action (TCRA) at the site. While the TCRA is considered an interim measure to prevent additional releases of hazardous substances, it will not address all contamination.

    The Superfund NPL listing will now allow EPA to comprehensively address issues at the J.H. Baxter site, including by conducting a further evaluation of the nature and extent of the contamination, the risks posed by hazardous substances at the site, and ensure a thorough cleanup.

    A public meeting for the EPA to explain next steps in the Superfund process is slated for July 16 in Eugene. The agency expects Superfund site work to begin in early fall.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Shaheen, New Hampshire Delegation Blast Trump’s “Big Beautiful Betrayal”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen

    (Manchester, NH) – This week, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), alongside Representatives Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), held a press conference at Waypoint to highlight the harmful impacts of Republicans’ disastrous budget megabill on New Hampshire. You can view front page coverage of the press conference here or in full below.

    The bill will take health care and food assistance away from millions while also ending tax credits that help folks save on their utility bills, all to give tax breaks to billionaires and corporations. More than 46,000 Granite Staters will lose their health care coverage through Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act and thousands risk losing food assistance. It will also raise household energy and health care bills for everyone while adding trillions to the debt, in order to give the top .1% of people an extra $300,000 a year on average.

    More Below:

    Union Leader: N.H. Dem delegation calls Trump bu­­dget the ‘big betrayal’

    • Speaking at a news conference at Waypoint in Manchester, the quartet charged what Trump has called the “big, beautiful bill” will cut off health care to 45,000 Granite Staters and reduce or eliminate SNAP food benefits for low-income families while raising energy and property taxes for the entire state.
    • “There is nothing beautiful about taking health care and food from struggling families and giving tax cuts to billionaires,” said U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. “What the president calls the big, beautiful bill, I call the big betrayal of the American people.”

    WMUR: NH congressional delegation unites to blast local effects of spending, tax cut bill

    • The full New Hampshire congressional delegation continues to sound the alarm over the impacts of the budget reconciliation legislation that is now the law of the land, saying cuts to Medicaid will be felt far beyond the social safety net.
    • Shaheen and Hassan, along with U.S. Reps. Chris Pappas and Maggie Goodlander, said the bill is going to downshift costs from the federal government to the states and from states to taxpayers.

    NHPR: New Hampshire’s congressional delegation condemns U.S. budget bill

    • Shaheen said working parents, children and seniors could also lose access to SNAP (Supplemental Food Assistance Program) benefits, and families that use low income heating assistance could be affected as tax energy credits for efficiency have been eliminated from the federal budget.
    • “I don’t think this is what the people in New Hampshire want to see, and it’s certainly not what Americans deserve,” Shaheen said. “At a moment when tariffs are already squeezing Americans’ cost of living, Congress should be doing better. We should be expanding affordable health care, not cutting it to fund tax breaks for the wealthiest and the biggest corporations.”

    Fox News: Dems say their increasingly ‘frustrated’ base is mobilized in the fight against Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’

    • “The big beautiful betrayal of the American people” is how longtime Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, the dean of the delegation, described the sweeping Republican-crafted domestic policy package.
    • The delegation teamed up on Tuesday in New Hampshire’s largest city at Waypoint, which notes that it’s the state’s longest-running home and community-based care charitable organization. Waypoint officials noted that roughly three-quarters of the people they service are on Medicaid.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. Sens. Warner & Kaine Applaud Senate Reapproval of VA Medical Facility Leases

    US Senate News:

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

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) issued the following statement after the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works voted to approve updated authorizations for 18 Veterans Affairs (VA) major medical facility leases, including a proposed lease for an outpatient clinic in Hampton Roads:

    “We are very encouraged to see the Senate EPW Committee heed our request to quickly reauthorize 18 VA medical facility leases, including one for a new outpatient clinic in Hampton Roads. This facility would fill a critical gap, providing broader access and more convenient services for veterans on the south side of the region, who currently represent over 60 percent of the Hampton VA Medical Center’s patient base. We will continue to press our colleagues in the House of Representatives to finalize the reauthorization process and ensure that our nation’s veterans are not forced to endure unacceptable wait times or travel burdensome distances to access the high-quality care they have earned through their sacrifice and dedication.”

    While these leases were originally authorized under the PACT Act, which both senators strongly supported, updated cost estimates and rent bids prompted the VA and the General Services Administration (GSA) to seek reauthorization from four congressional committees. To date, the leases have been reapproved by the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. One final approval, from the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, remains.

    Sens. Warner and Kaine have long fought to expand health care and benefits for Virginia’s nearly 700,000 veterans. Sens. Warner and Kaine began raising the alarm about the significant backlog of unapproved VA leases in 2016. After putting significant pressure on officials across the federal government, Congress unanimously passed the Providing Veterans Overdue Care Act, legislation written by Sen. Warner and supported by Sen. Kaine, to cut the backlog and get over two dozen delayed VA medical facilities’ leases approved.

    MIL OSI USA News –