NewzIntel.com

Category: US Senate

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Coons statement on Senate passage of the Republican tax bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) issued the following statement on the Senate’s passage of the reconciliation bill:
    “I know of no faith that teaches that we should take health care from seniors and the disabled, and food from hungry children, to rig the tax code even further for the ultra-wealthy. That’s what almost every Republican in the Senate just voted to do. Making Americans hungrier, sicker, and poorer won’t make America great. America is great because it is good.
    “The American people sent all of us to Washington to bring down prices, keep them safe, and help make the American dream possible. Instead, they’re getting a bill that will strip health care from 17 million of the most vulnerable Americans – children, seniors, people with disabilities – and take food out of the mouths of hungry families. It will also add trillions of dollars to the national debt. 
    “My Republican colleagues know this bill is a disaster. That’s why they rewrote it by hand in the final minutes, holding it together with backroom deals and giveaways. They rushed the bill to passage before most of them even understood the details of what they were voting for. They will learn more about what’s actually in this bill in the days to come. The rest of our nation will be dealing with its consequences for years. 
    “I will do everything I can to protect Delawareans and people across the country from the devastating impacts they will suffer because of this reckless bill.”
    Senator Coons is a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Senator Coons explores how Democrats can better appeal to voters of faith on The Holy Post Podcast

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons
    WASHINGTON – In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) joined The Holy Post Podcast for an interview with Skye Jethani to talk about U.S. foreign policy matters in the Middle East, what led him to attend divinity school, and how Democratic leaders can work to speak more openly about their faith and bring more religious voters into the party. 
    You can listen here. 
    Key excerpts:
    Early Faith and Path to Divinity School
    Jethani: What’s the journey from divinity school to the U.S. Senate? Why does divinity school end up in public political service?
    Senator Coons: I was very active in youth group and Sunday school and that just sort of formed the foundation of faith in action. My mother volunteered with a group of women at our church to welcome refugees, a refugee family from South Vietnam – who were literally rescued, you know, from the ocean – having fled persecution after the fall of Vietnam, and worked at a homeless ministry, Emmanuel Dining Room, that still serves every day in downtown Wilmington. And my father for a time volunteered in prison ministry.
    ….
    The great thing – and this is a long-winded answer, so interrupt me if it’s getting past your level of interest – but the great thing about a divinity school as opposed to a seminary was, I had classmates from a very wide range of traditions. A great friend who had gone to Oral Roberts as an undergraduate, another friend who was Catholic, another friend who is Muslim, but coming to the United States to train to be a professor of religious studies, friends who were going into pulpit ministry as Congregationalists and Episcopalians and Presbyterians, and friends who really weren’t sure why they were there but their parents were ministers or you know, they came from a long line of ministers and so they were [pastors’ kids] who were there, sort of trying to work out their future. It was a wonderful experience. I left with less certainty than I went in. So, if I were to summarize my lessons: humility. Humility in the face of the awesomeness and depth of Scripture. Humility about the certainty of my interpretation and understanding, and thus a demand or a call to constantly re-evaluate and learn, so an increased certainty about the call and the grace and the mercy and the salvation offered to us by Jesus Christ and a less absolute certainty about, “this scripture means this and we can ignore these and we have to follow these,” which as you get into politics becomes a more pressing question.
    Democratic Messaging
    Jethani: How do you think the Democratic Party can do better at drawing religious voters back into its fold or what missteps do you look at and think, we need to do better in this area?
    Senator Coons: First, I think we have to show biblical literacy. I think we have to make connections between why are you fighting for health care for the poor and the disabled and the elderly? Why are you working for food programs for children? Like where does this come from? If you can’t articulate some connection between a Torah definition of righteousness that focuses on how you welcome the hungry, the foreigner, the stranger, the orphan, the widow, the imprisoned – if you can’t draw a line between, sort of, here’s my priorities and what I’m doing and, it’s rooted in the Luke 4 passage where Jesus stands up in his home synagogue and says this is my ministry and my mission – if you can’t draw some of those connections, don’t be surprised when religious or theologically serious people sort of doubt the sincerity of your engagement.
    Second, and I’m just going to be really blunt about this, the kind of liberal consensus in the Democratic Party of the last couple of years … mistakenly viewed Black and Brown Americans, folks who are from the Hispanic community, from the African-American community, as inalterably and fundamentally progressive because they had experienced racism and racially based oppression for centuries – missing that enduring that oppression largely was possible because of a focus on faith. And so, every Black church I’ve been to in my home state of Delaware, you’ve got a really powerful, focused, engaged, on-fire community that is getting through things that are hard to get through by leaning on the arms. And so, not bringing a message rooted in values and in particular, in faith, in connecting with communities that have experienced oppression and have transited it by faith is a huge mistake. Nothing offends and annoys Hispanic and Black communities more than treating them as victims, rather than as heroes who have transcended oppression through the depth of their faith.
    Faith in Leadership and the Future of the Democrats
    Jethani: Can you point to evidence that you think the party is getting that message that it’s trying to adjust, that it will be different in 2026 and 2028?
    Senator Coons: There are certainly several of us trying very hard in this direction. Look, Joe Biden was our last Democratic president, and if there is one defining characteristic millions of Americans knew about Joe Biden that helped them trust him in 2020 in the middle of a pandemic, at a time of chaos and uncertainty, it’s that Joe Biden endured huge deep grief twice in his life: the loss of his wife and daughter just before Christmas in a tragic car accident, the loss of his beloved son Beau to glioblastoma, a terrible brain cancer. And they knew that in moments of loss and of celebration, he was on his knees praying at mass. Joe Biden does not talk about his faith much publicly…it is personal, it is something that has allowed him to endure. And I think lots of people looked at that and said, “You know what, he gets me, because that’s how I get through the hard things in life.” They may not agree with his exact positions on important moral issues, but they knew that he was a kind and compassionate man, they knew he’d been raised by a family that got through some struggles as a blue-collar, middle-class family in Claymont relying on their faith.
    Senator Coons: … If you think about three out of four of the last Democrats who became president: Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, in addition to Joe Biden who I just talked about. All of them were not really of Washington, all of them were not well known before they were catapulted to electoral success, and all of them talked comfortably about their faith. Jimmy Carter continued to teach Sunday school at his hometown Baptist church throughout almost a hundred years and was – I think the election of Jimmy Carter was made possible by Richard Nixon. And I think Donald Trump, a demonstrably cruel, aggressive, and vulgar president will make possible the election of someone who champions compassion, decency, and a welcoming and gracious heart as long as that Democratic leader also makes clear that he sees and cares about opportunity and security for the people of our country. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Baldwin Votes Against Republicans’ Catastrophic Budget Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) released the following statement after she voted against the Republicans’ budget bill:
    “Today, I voted against rigging our tax code in favor of the biggest corporations and ultra-wealthy – all on the backs of working families who are just trying to get by and want a fair shot at success. As I travel across Wisconsin, I hear from families who are worried about paying for groceries, covering the cost of their medications, and keeping the lights on. Instead of standing up for these working families, my Republican colleagues jammed through a bill that guts Medicaid, kicks 17 million Americans off their health insurance, shutters rural hospitals, and takes food from families in need. And why? All to rig our already unfair tax code even more to help the rich get richer. This bill does not solve the problems that Wisconsin families are facing – in fact, it makes them worse. I am disappointed. I am disgusted. But, I am also fired up and ready. Ready to keep fighting alongside every Wisconsinite who believes we can do better to give hard-working families a fair shot and stop tilting the scales for the wealthy and well-connected. It’s not the people in Washington with power; it’s the people across this country. The people who keep speaking up and speaking out, who are emailing and calling, who are marching in the streets, and who are telling their stories. This fight isn’t over, and together, we can still beat this thing.”
    Senator Baldwin introduced the following amendments to the bill to block cuts to Medicaid that would rip away health care from Americans and also close a tax loophole that allows Wall Street investment managers to often pay almost half the tax rate compared to most other Wisconsin workers:
    Preventing seniors from having their health care ripped away, including those in nursing homes;
    Preventing children from having their health care ripped away, including those on the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP);
    Preventing health care for those battling addiction and substance use disorder from being ripped away;
    Preventing cuts to funding for rural Americans, including essential funding for hospitals;
    Preventing pregnant women from having their health care ripped away; and
    Closing the carried interest loophole that benefits wealthy money managers on Wall Street, something that President Trump also supports.
    The Republicans’ bill, which passed the Senate by a vote of [51-50], will terminate health care for 17 million Americans, including 250,000 Wisconsinites. In Wisconsin, Medicaid provides care for more than 1.2 million people, including four in seven nursing home residents, one in three children, and one in three adults with disabilities. While over 12 million rural Americans rely on Medicaid for health care, severe cuts to Medicaid will also jeopardize rural hospitals and clinics’ ability to keep their doors open.
    The legislation also makes the largest cut to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in history. Approximately 700,000 Wisconsin residents rely on SNAP for food assistance.
    Over the past several months, Senator Baldwin has been speaking out against the harmful impact this bill will have on Wisconsinites – in the press, on the Senate floor, and in Wisconsin communities.
    Senator Baldwin hosted roundtables in La Crosse, Milwaukee, Wausau, Eau Claire, Green Bay, Racine, Waukesha, Superior, Beloit, and twice in Madison, convening Wisconsinites whose health care coverage is in jeopardy under the Republicans’ plan to slash Medicaid to pay for corporate tax breaks.
    VIDEO: Senator Baldwin spoke on the Senate floor, condemning the Republicans’ budget bill.
    VIDEO: Senator Baldwin held a virtual press conference with impacted Wisconsinites ahead of Senate Republicans bringing up their bill for a vote. 
    VIDEO: Senator Baldwin highlighted Congressional Republicans’ efforts to barrel ahead with a bill that defunds Planned Parenthood on the Senate floor.
    Senator Baldwin slammed republicans’ planned cuts to Medicaid, which will devastate our country’s fight against the opioid and fentanyl epidemic and jeopardize treatment for thousands of Wisconsinites. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warnock Statement on Passage of GOP Tax Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) released the following statement after Senate Republicans passed their “Big Ugly Bill” by a vote of 51-50, with Vice President J.D. Vance casting the tie-breaking vote. The legislation will kick over 16 million Americans off their health care, including 750,000 Georgians, raise premiums for 1.2 million Georgians, and threaten 66 rural Georgia hospitals.
    “The Senate just voted for legislation that will kick millions off their health care, close rural hospitals, and increase health care costs for everyone, all to give billionaires a tax break. Today’s vote is a disappointing reminder that Washington politicians aren’t working for ordinary people.”
    “But the power of the people is more powerful than the people in power. As the pastor of Dr. King’s church, I understand that our fight is not about any one vote, but about a moral vision for a world where all of God’s children can succeed.”
    “This is not over. Talk to your neighbors, call your U.S. House Representative, and continue to show up and use your voice.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sen. Johnson Releases Statement on Passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Ron Johnson
    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) released the following statement on his vote to pass Cal. #107, H.R.1, One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
    “With President Biden in the White House and majorities in both chambers of Congress, Democrats had every opportunity to repeal the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and increase taxes on ‘the rich.’ They did not do so. Instead of returning to a reasonable pre-pandemic level of spending and deficits, once the economy recovered, they incurred deficits averaging $1.9 trillion over four years. If that wasn’t bad enough, President Biden also left office with open borders and raging wars.  
    “By passing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, we have avoided a $4 trillion automatic tax increase and a default on our debt. Due to the enormous messes Biden and congressional Democrats left us, we are also providing additional funding for border security and defense.   
    “While the bill is a step forward, we have only just begun the difficult task of reducing spending, and there is still a long way to go. A rigorous effort will soon be announced to review every program and every line of the federal budget, looking for ways to reduce spending to a reasonable pre-pandemic level. I look forward to being fully involved in that effort to put America on a path to fiscal sustainability.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hickenlooper Votes Against Republicans’ Budget Bill That Strips Health Care from Americans, Closes Rural Hospitals, Explodes National Deficit

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Hickenlooper – Colorado
    Republicans’ legislation will increase prices for Coloradans, strip health care from 17 million Americans, increase the deficit, and give tax cuts to the ultra-wealthy
    Republicans blocked Hickenlooper-backed amendments to protect funding for Medicaid and clean energy
    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper released the following statement after he voted against Republicans’ Senate budget bill:
    “This is pure lunacy, and downright cruel.
    “Republicans have voted to kick 17 million Americans off their health care, push hundreds of rural hospitals toward closure, wipe out millions of American clean energy careers, and add trillions to our national debt. And for what? For lavish tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans.”
    Hickenlooper voted NO on the budget resolution after Republicans voted down critical Democratic-led amendments to prevent cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and Inflation Reduction Act clean energy funding. While Hickenlooper was successful in working with his colleagues to eliminate devastating public lands provisions and alter a few of the worst clean energy proposals, he joined a bipartisan group of senators in opposition to the final bill. The reconciliation bill now heads to the House for final passage. Hickenlooper will continue fighting against it and urge every member of the House to stop it from becoming law.
    HICKENLOOPER AMENDMENT:
    Hickenlooper spoke on the Senate floor in support of his amendment to protect the Inflation Reduction Act’s residential clean energy credit – which covers 30% of the cost of purchasing and installing residential solar, battery backup, or geothermal heat pumps. Hickenlooper’s amendment would protect the program from Republican cuts for one year, giving clean energy small businesses in Colorado and across the nation a runway (at bare minimum) to weather the storm the Republicans are causing and prepare for the loss of federal funding, in addition to  preserving more than 85,000 American jobs. Watch his full remarks about his amendment HERE.
    “They’re also taxing clean energy and cutting larger energy credits, which will create more expensive energy and more blackouts,” Hickenlooper said. “We should create jobs, cut costs, and boost energy production, not sacrifice working families so that the richest Americans pay less taxes.”
    Click to download full video
    WHAT’S IN THE BILL:
    The Republican-led Senate reconciliation bill includes a $3 trillion tax cut for the wealthiest Americans. It pays for those tax cuts by:
    Taking Health Care Away from 17 Million Americans
    The Republican budget proposal calls for extreme Medicaid cuts of more than $900 billion, which would take away people’s health benefits; make it harder for them to see their health care providers; and prevent seniors from getting nursing home care.
    The budget also fails to extend the Affordable Care Act expanded premium tax credits, which expire at the end of 2025.
    The latest CBO estimates that the combined cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act would result in 17 million Americans losing health insurance by 2034, and increase our national debt by $3.3 trillion.   
    The cuts would hit rural hospitals the hardest:
    According to initial estimates, more than 338 rural hospitals across the country are at an acute risk of closure as a result of these Medicaid cuts. Including 6 hospitals in Colorado:
    Delta County Memorial Hospital – Delta (CO-03)
    Conejos County Hospital – La Jara (CO-03)
    Grand River Hospital District – Rifle (CO-03)
    Prowers Medical Center – Lamar (CO-04)
    Southwest Memorial Hospital – Cortez (CO-03)
    Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center – La Junta (CO-03)

    Slashing Investments in Clean Energy and Driving up Energy Bills
    The Republican budget bill guts hundreds of billions in Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) clean energy investments, including tax credits for wind and solar. The results: over a million jobs lost, hundreds of billions in lost GDP and lost wages, electricity price inflation, and killing new renewable energy needed to prevent blackouts.
    Increasing Our National Debt by Trillions
    Even after gutting over $1 trillion from Medicaid and other services, the Senate reconciliation bill will still increase our national debt by more than $3.3 TRILLION.
    The Senate version of the bill adds $900 billion moreto the national debt than the previous House version of the bill.
    Hickenlooper recently took to the Senate floor to slam the bill as “fiscal madness.”
    ADDITIONAL AMENDMENTS:
    In total, Hickenlooper introduced and joined 16+ amendments to the 2025 Senate reconciliation bill to oppose Republican provisions that would harm Coloradans. Specifically, he introduced and joined amendments to:
    Prevent Americans from Losing Health Care
    Protect Nursing Homes and Medicaid Patients: Hickenlooper-led amendment to strike any provision that cuts funding for Medicaid, which covers care for 60% of all nursing home residents.
    Safeguard Small Businesses and Medicaid: Hickenlooper-led amendment to strike any provision that cuts funding for Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which protects access for the 7,000,000 small businesses workers who depend on Medicaid coverage; and protects access for the 4,000,000 small businesses who depend on the ACA exchanges.
    Protect Medicaid: Led by Senator Wyden, Hickenlooper joined this amendment to strike any provision that cuts funding for Medicaid; and would ensure big corporations and the ultra-wealthy pay a fair share in taxes.
    Extend ACA Enhanced Premium Tax Credits: Led by Senator Jon Ossoff, Hickenlooper joined this amendment to permanently extend the Affordable Care Act enhanced Premium Tax Credits.
    Protect Safety Net Programs
    Safeguard SNAP-Education: Led by Senator Angela Alsobrooks, Hickenlooper joined this amendment to strike the section that eliminates the SNAP Education Program, which provides free nutrition education to SNAP recipients.
    Expand Pell Grant Eligibility: Led by Senator Tim Kaine, Hickenlooper joined this amendment to strike the workforce Pell section in the budget bill and replace it with the bipartisan JOBS Act to expand Pell Grant eligibility to include short-term workforce training programs.
    Protect Public Lands
    Block Sale of Public Lands: Hickenlooper-led amendment to block the sale of our public lands. The amendment ensures that public lands cannot be sold if they hold any of the multiple values our public lands offer, including benefits for watershed health, hunting, fishing, recreation, and critical wildlife habitat. It also excludes sale of lands with cultural or historic significance, areas sensitive for national security, areas within an Indian reservation, or lands to which Tribes hold reserved rights.
    Non-Competitive Leasing: Hickenlooper-led amendment to strike provision that would reauthorize non-competitive leasing on federal public lands.
    Maintaining National Park Service Staffing: Led by Senator Angus King, Hickenlooper joined this amendment to strike the repeal of ~$267M in Inflation Reduction Act funding for the National Park Service staffing.
    Address our Climate Crisis + Invest in Renewable Energy
    Protect the solar industry:Hickenlooper-led amendment to change the termination date of the 25D Residential Clean Energy Credit from December 31, 2025 to December 31, 2026 to save jobs and small businesses and help American households power their homes and reduce energy costs with solar, battery storage, and geothermal heat pumps. It is paid for by increasing the top tax bracket to 39.6%.
    RECA Expansion: Hickenlooper-led amendment that adds Colorado to the list of states that benefit from an expanded downwinder provision under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act.
    Advanced Manufacturing Tax Credit: Led by Senator Michael Bennet, Hickenlooper joined this amendment to strike all changes to the 45X Advanced Manufacturing Tax Credit, but retain foreign entities of concern rules, and strike changes to 48C advanced energy tax credit.
    Maintaining Parity for Wind and Solar Facilities: Led by Senator Jacky Rosen, Hickenlooper joined this amendment to restore parity for solar and wind with other technologies under the Production Tax Credit (45Y) and Investment Tax Credit (48E), paid for with an increase to the top rate at $1 million for individual filers and $1.3M for married filing jointly.
    Eliminating the tax on wind and solar: Led by Senator Adam Schiff, Hickenlooper joined this amendment to strike the new excise tax on wind and solar, paid for with an increase to 39.6 percent for individuals making $10 million.
    Repeal of Termination of Certain Clean Energy Credits: Led by Senators Jean Shaheen and Peter Welch, Hickenlooper joined this amendment to strike provisions that would terminate the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C), the Residential Clean Energy Credit (25D), the New Energy Efficient Home Tax Credit (45L), and the Energy Efficient Commercial Building Deduction (179D).
    Maintaining Modernized Royalty Rates: Led by Senator Jacky Rosen, Hickenlooper joined this amendment to strike the repeal of the Inflation Reduction Act royalty rate modernization for oil and gas.
    Budget resolutions guide federal spending and revenue policies for the year. This is the third budget resolution the Senate has voted on during the reconciliation process. Hickenlooper voted against the first package in February, and the second package in April. The Senate and the House must pass identical versions of the budget for the reconciliation bill to become law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Klobuchar Statement on Senate Passage of the Big Beautiful Betrayal

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Minnesota Amy Klobuchar

    WASHINGTON –  U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) released the following statement on the Senate’s passage of the Republicans’ Big Beautiful Betrayal:

    “Congressional Republicans betrayed the American people, passing a bill that will raise our debt by $4 trillion, kick millions people off their health care, close more than 300 rural hospitals and 500 nursing homes, and raise grocery prices for 40 million people — all to pay for tax cuts for the richest Americans.

    “This is a betrayal of the parents trying to put food on the table. It’s a betrayal of the seniors who rely on Medicaid and Medicare to pay for assisted living. It’s a betrayal of people who live in rural America. And it’s a betrayal of young Americans who will pay $1,000 more a year for mortgages because of higher interest rates — putting the American Dream even further out of reach.

    “What we should be doing is working together to bring down costs and make life easier for all Americans — not raising costs by putting the wealthy ahead of everyone else. I urge the House to reject this bill.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner & Kaine Statement on Senate Passage of Republican Budget Megabill

    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) released the following statement after they voted no on the Republican budget megabill:
    “Today, Republicans jammed through a partisan megabill that slashes Medicaid, nutrition assistance, and other critical programs that Americans rely on in order to pay for massive tax breaks to the very rich. It’s clear that the Trump Administration and congressional Republicans are only interested in helping the wealthiest—even if it means ripping off working- and middle-class people, killing jobs, and hurting our economy. Americans deserve better than this. We are committed to doing everything we can to ensure all Virginians have the support they need in the wake of this disastrous legislation.”
    Sens. Warner and Kaine introduced a series of amendments in an attempt to improve the bill. Republicans blocked them.
    The senators have been sounding the alarm about the effects of the GOP plan on Virginia families, noting that the GOP bill would strip health insurance from more than 302,000 Virginians, saddle families with medical debt, cut SNAP benefits for more than 204,000 Virginians, and devastate rural communities. The bill would also explode the deficit, jeopardize more than 20,000 Virginia jobs, raise energy costs, give the richest 0.1% a $255,125 tax cut, and eliminate a program allowing Americans to file federal taxes for free.
        

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner & Kaine Statement on Senate Passage of Republican Budget Megabill

    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) released the following statement after they voted no on the Republican budget megabill:

    “Today, Republicans jammed through a partisan megabill that slashes Medicaid, nutrition assistance, and other critical programs that Americans rely on in order to pay for massive tax breaks to the very rich. It’s clear that the Trump Administration and congressional Republicans are only interested in helping the wealthiest—even if it means ripping off working- and middle-class people, killing jobs, and hurting our economy. Americans deserve better than this. We are committed to doing everything we can to ensure all Virginians have the support they need in the wake of this disastrous legislation.”

    Sens. Warner and Kaine introduced a series of amendments in an attempt to improve the bill. Republicans blocked them.

    The senators have been sounding the alarm about the effects of the GOP plan on Virginia families, noting that the GOP bill would strip health insurance from more than 302,000 Virginians, saddle families with medical debt, cut SNAP benefits for more than 204,000 Virginians, and devastate rural communities. The bill would also explode the deficit, jeopardize more than 20,000 Virginia jobs, raise energy costs, give the richest 0.1% a $255,125 tax cut, and eliminate a program allowing Americans to file federal taxes for free.

        

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner & Kaine Statement on Senate Passage of Republican Budget Megabill

    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) released the following statement after they voted no on the Republican budget megabill:

    “Today, Republicans jammed through a partisan megabill that slashes Medicaid, nutrition assistance, and other critical programs that Americans rely on in order to pay for massive tax breaks to the very rich. It’s clear that the Trump Administration and congressional Republicans are only interested in helping the wealthiest—even if it means ripping off working- and middle-class people, killing jobs, and hurting our economy. Americans deserve better than this. We are committed to doing everything we can to ensure all Virginians have the support they need in the wake of this disastrous legislation.”

    Sens. Warner and Kaine introduced a series of amendments in an attempt to improve the bill. Republicans blocked them.

    The senators have been sounding the alarm about the effects of the GOP plan on Virginia families, noting that the GOP bill would strip health insurance from more than 302,000 Virginians, saddle families with medical debt, cut SNAP benefits for more than 204,000 Virginians, and devastate rural communities. The bill would also explode the deficit, jeopardize more than 20,000 Virginia jobs, raise energy costs, give the richest 0.1% a $255,125 tax cut, and eliminate a program allowing Americans to file federal taxes for free.

        

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Graham Statement On Senate Passage Of The One Big Beautiful Bill Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Lindsey Graham
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, today made this statement after the Senate passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act by a vote of 51-50.
    “After a long but fruitful day, the Republican Senate delivered.  Senate Majority Leader Thune, Chairman Crapo and all my Republican colleagues did a great job, clinching a big win for President Trump and the American people.
    “Here’s what we accomplished:
    The most comprehensive border security package in American history.
    Prevented the largest tax hike in history by making the 2017 tax cuts permanent, helping the American economy and working families.
    The biggest reduction in spending in American history due to common sense government reforms.
    A $150 billion infusion for the Department of Defense to make us safe.
    Raising the debt ceiling so we do not have to worry about default.
    “I am honored to be the Senate Budget Chairman at such a crucial time. I am also proud to have worked with my Republican colleagues, helping deliver the foundation of President Trump’s domestic agenda. As a result of the Republican Senate passing this bill, America will be more prosperous and safe.
    “Now it is up to my House colleagues to get this historic legislation over the finish line and on to the President’s desk as soon as possible.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Fischer Statement on Senate Passage of One Big Beautiful Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nebraska Deb Fischer
    Fischer’s Paid Family and Medical Leave policy made permanent in bill—delivering long-term support for working families and employers
    Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) released the following statement after the U.S. Senate passed the One Big Beautiful Bill:  
    “Last November, Americans spoke loud and clear: they want safer communities, lower energy costs, and real relief for working families. Today, the Senate delivered—blocking a $4 trillion tax hike and investing in border security to keep America safe. This bill locks in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, saving the average Nebraska family $2,400 a year. It keeps taxes low, boosts small businesses, strengthens our military, supports farmers and ranchers, and makes energy more affordable for everyone.
    “I’m also pleased this bill makes permanent my Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) Tax Credit. Since I established the nation’s first and only federal PFML policy in 2017, this credit has empowered employers of all sizes to offer paid leave to their workers voluntarily, rather than through a government mandate. Now, employers across America have the certainty they need to support employees as they care for a newborn or an aging parent without sacrificing their job or paycheck.
    “I urge the House to take up this bill and send it to the president’s desk so we can deliver on our promises to empower working families and keep America safe, strong, and prosperous.”
     
    One Big Beautiful Bill Provisions:The One Big Beautiful Bill contains the following provisions championed by Fischer:
    Paid Family Medical Leave Tax Credit Extension and Enhancement Act: makes the PFML Employer Tax Credit—the country’s first-ever nationwide PFML policy—permanent, helping employers of all sizes to voluntarily – not through a government mandate—offer PFML plans to their employees; 
    A carve-out for the Department of Defense—for the first time in history—of specific spectrum bands (3, 7, and 8 gigahertz frequencies) from general Federal Communications Commission auction authority, which will safeguard the missile defense of the homeland, protect our military radars and sensors, and lay the groundwork for long-term defense innovation—including the Golden Dome Missile Defense Shield; and
    A modified version of her Protecting Rural Seniors Access to Care Act, which repeals a harmful Biden-era staffing mandate that would have forced several long-term care (LTC) facilities to close, depriving America’s seniors of care.
    It also includes the following tax provisions to benefit Nebraska families:
    Prevents a more-than $2,400 tax hike on the average Nebraska family;
    Protects over 44,000 family-owned farms in Nebraska from having their death tax exemption cut in half;
    Protects 37,000 jobs in Nebraska from being lost;
    Ensures more than 239,000 Nebraska households’ child tax credit is not cut in half;
    Makes sure more than 868,000 Nebraska families’ standard deduction is not cut in half;
    Establishes work requirements for able-bodied adults who are choosing not to work and do not have dependent children or elderly parents in their care; and
    Ensures no taxes on tips or overtime for millions of tipped and hourly workers.
    It also supports Nebraska’s agricultural industry by: 
    Extending the 45Z Clean Fuels Production Tax Credit to support Nebraska’s farmers and biofuel producers;
    Investing in and modernizing the farm safety net, including improvements to crop insurance;
    Expanding markets for Nebraska’s ag producers by investing in trade promotion;
    Increasing funding for foreign animal disease prevention to protect Nebraska’s ag industry; and
    Increasing funding for agricultural research.
    The bill invests in America’s border security through the following provisions:
    $46.5 billion for U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) to build the border wall and associated infrastructure;
    $45 billion to increase the detention of illegal migrants;
    $6 billion for improvements to surveillance at the border; and
    Funding for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to increase staffing and enhance migrant screening and vetting processes.
    The bill also makes crucial investments in America’s national security through the following provisions:
    $15 billion to modernize nuclear weapons and delivery systems and to invest in the infrastructure needed to restore America’s ability to manufacture nuclear weapons;
    $25 billion to accelerate procurement of key munitions and expand production capacity;
    $25 billion for America’s Golden Dome—building a layered missile defense shield and developing space-based assets to protect the homeland and deployed troops; and
    $1 billion to support Department of Defense personnel and logistics for border security and counterdrug operations.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warren Responds to Senate Republicans Passing Trump Bill, Slams Republicans for “Cheer[ing] Over Taking Away Health Care from Around 17 Million People”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    July 01, 2025
    Watch the Video (YouTube)
    Washington, D.C. — In a new video reacting to the passage of President Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill,” U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) slammed Senate Republicans for “cheer[ing] over taking away health care from around 17 million people… giving huge tax breaks to a handful of billionaires.” 
    On Tuesday, the Senate completed 26 hours of debate on the “Big, Beautiful Bill,” following Democrats’ successful delay of the bill’s passage. Despite Republicans’ efforts to rush the bill through, it only passed after Vice President JD Vance broke the 50-50 Senate tie. 
    During the debate and amendment process, Senate Democrats successfully pushed to strike provisions that would have devastated the deployment of clean energy and prohibited the regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) at the state level for ten years. 
    “[W]e proved why we stay in the fight, because actually, there are pieces of this bill that we got better…It’s always the reminder: all of those calls matter,” said Senator Warren. 
    The bill now heads back to the House of Representatives for consideration of the Senate’s amended version of the bill. 
    Senator Warren urged people across the country to continue fighting back as the bill continues to make its way through Congress. 
    “We stay in it not because it’s an easy fight, not because we’re guaranteed to win every time. We stay in it, because it’s the right fight,” Senator Warren concluded. 
    Transcript: Senator Warren’s Reaction to Senate Passage of the “Big, Beautiful Bill”July 1, 2025
    Senator Elizabeth Warren: I’m leaving the Senate now at the end of the vote. When the Republicans won, they cheered. 
    They cheered over taking away health care from around 17 million people. They cheered over giving huge tax breaks to a handful of billionaires. They cheered over running up the national debt by another three and a half trillion dollars. 
    You know, this bill is bad. It’s bad economically, it’s bad morally. This bill is just wrong. 
    But, we stay in the fight. We stay in the fight. And we proved why we stay in the fight, because actually, there are pieces of this bill that we got better. 
    We got the tax on solar and wind knocked out, and that’s going to help with clean energy. We got a few different pieces and made them better. So that’s reason number one. It’s always the reminder: all of those calls matter. 
    Reason number two is: it’s still not over. The bill has now got to go back over to the House, and there are a lot of Republicans who are feeling really squeamish about this bill at this point, so that means we got to stay in the fight. 
    And reason number three is: yeah, they may do this now, but come November 2026, they’re going to have to face the voters. They’re going to have to face the people, the families of the people whose health care they took away, and they’re going to have to explain exactly what they just did just now on the floor of the United States Senate and whatever they do next. 
    So, this is hard, but damn, we stay in the fight. We stay in it not because it’s an easy fight, not because we’re guaranteed to win every time. We stay in it, because it’s the right fight.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ernst Celebrates Big Beautiful Win for Iowans

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) released the following statement celebrating the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act:
    “President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill delivers on what Iowans voted for in November, keeping more money in hardworking folks’ pockets, real border security, and a safer America,” said Ernst. “In addition to the largest tax cut in history for our families, farmers, and small businesses, the bill strengthens the integrity of Medicaid and prioritizes those who truly need help by eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse. I am proud to have fought to save $100 million for taxpayers over the next decade and eliminated unfair practices in the FAFSA process that held back farm families from investing in their child’s education. I will always fight to improve Iowans’ lives and continue to lead the charge in Washington to reduce reckless spending and put taxpayers first.”
    The Senate unanimously approved Ernst’s Ending Unemployment Payments to Jobless Millionaires Act that will disqualify anyone making a million dollars or more from being eligible for unemployment income support. It is estimated to save taxpayers up to $100 million over the next decade.
    Ernst’s Family Farm and Small Business Exemption Act was also included. It will ensure that Iowans will not have to sell off the farm, or their small business, to afford college by restoring the original exemption of all farmland, machinery, and other operational materials from being declared on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.
    Ernst also provided certainty for Iowa farmers by raising reference prices to strengthen the farm safety net, improving foreign animal disease prevention, protecting access to affordable crop insurance, prioritizing domestic feedstocks to support biofuel producers, expanding trade opportunities, and permanently extending the death tax exemption to ensure family farms and small businesses can be passed down to the next generation. 
    Ernst was a leading voice in the fight to make the Trump tax cuts permanent to avoid a $4 trillion tax increase and empower small business owners and farmers to invest in themselves through provisions like bonus depreciation, 199-A, and the research and development deduction.
    After the Trump administration busted more than 300 criminals accused of $14.6 billion in health care fraud, Ernst emphasized how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act strengthens and preserves Medicaid for our most vulnerable Americans who need it by targeting waste, fraud, and abuse.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Markey Statement on Senate Passage of Draconian Republican Health Care, Clean Energy Cuts

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
    Senator Markey: “Senate Republicans abdicated their responsibility to the American people.”
    Washington (July 1, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today released the following statement after Republicans voted to pass H.R. 1, Donald Trump’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill.” The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.
    “Today, Senate Republicans abdicated their responsibility to the American people. They acted in service to Trump and billionaires while pursuing the largest cuts to health care, food security, and climate and clean energy in United States history. If these cuts pass into law and even one child goes hungry, one worker loses their job, or one person cannot get lifesaving care, the burden falls on Republicans for their record-setting cruelty.
    “People’s lives and livelihoods should not be treated as expendable. Hospitals, nursing homes, and community health centers should not be forced into financial emergency rooms. Families should not be poisoned by pollution or shoulder higher energy costs, and communities should not be left defenseless against the worsening climate crisis.
    “The fight is not over, but time is running out and inaction will cost lives. That’s why we cannot agonize – we must organize. As this Big Ugly Bill heads to the House of Representatives, we all need to continue to raise our voices even louder to stop Trump and Republicans from tearing health care, food assistance, and a livable future away from millions of Americans.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: After Weeks of Markey Raising the Alarm, Senate Strikes AI Moratorium from Budget Reconciliation Bill Overnight in Overwhelming 99-1 Vote

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
    Washington (July 1, 2025) – Overnight, the U.S. Senate voted 99-1 in favor of an amendment co-sponsored by Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and Senator Marsha Blackburn (R–Tenn.) to strip a ten-year moratorium on state AI regulations from the Republican budget reconciliation bill.
    “Early this morning, the Senate overwhelmingly voted to reject a dangerous provision to block states from regulating artificial intelligence, including protecting kids online. This 99-1 vote sent a clear message that Congress will not sell out our kids and local communities in order to pad the pockets of Big Tech billionaires. I am proud to have partnered with Ranking Member Cantwell and Senator Blackburn on an amendment to strip this dangerous language, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to develop responsible guardrails for AI,” said Senator Markey.
    For weeks, Senator Markey raised alarms over the provision which would have forced states to make an impossible choice between enforcing AI consumer protections or accepting federal BEAD funding to expand broadband access. Despite several revisions by its author and misleading assurances about its true impact, state officials from across the country, including 17 Republican Governors and 40 state Attorneys General, as well conservative and liberal organizations – from the Heritage Foundation to the Center for American Progress – rallied against the harmful proposal.
    On June 30, Senator Markey introduced an amendment with Senator Cantwell to strip the entire provision prior to introducing the same amendment with Senator Cantwell and Senator Blackburn on July 1. On June 10, Senator Markey announced his plans to file an amendment to the Senate reconciliation bill to block Republicans’ attempt to prevent states from regulating artificial intelligence (AI) for the next 10 years. On June 4, Senator Markey convened a virtual roundtable with advocates to discuss the impacts this ban would have on communities across the country. On June 3, Senator Markey delivered remarks on the Senate floor opposing the provision in the House-passed reconciliation bill that would prevent states from regulating AI for the next ten years.
    Senator Markey is the author of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Civil Rights Act, the most comprehensive AI civil rights legislation introduced in Congress. The legislation would put strict guardrails on companies’ use of algorithms for consequential decisions, ensure algorithms are tested before and after deployment, help eliminate and prevent bias, and renew Americans’ faith in the accuracy and fairness of complex algorithms.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Boozman Statement on Passage of Budget Reconciliation Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Arkansas – John Boozman
    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) released the following statement after Senate passage of budget reconciliation legislation that advances President Trump and Congressional Republicans’ agenda:
    “This bill delivers the largest tax cut ever for working and middle-class Americans in addition to letting tipped and hourly workers, seniors and families keep more of their hard-earned income. It also eliminates waste, fraud and abuse so assistance programs can continue to serve the vulnerable, and provides transformational funding for border security, national security and energy security. These policies will help responsibly steward taxpayer dollars and make our nation stronger, safer and more prosperous.” 
    Boozman, who serves as Chairman of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, also weighed in specifically on the committee-led provisions to deliver permanent tax relief to America’s farmers and invest in rural communities:
    “We make commonsense reforms to SNAP to ensure the program operates efficiently, is accountable to the taxpayers and helps those who truly need it. There is also good news for hardworking farmers, ranchers and producers who for too long were forced to operate under outdated policies. Our investments in farm country will support the long-term success of family farms and America’s agriculture industry, providing desperately needed and improved risk management tools as well as a modernized farm safety net.”
    Background
    The pro-growth legislation extends the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, preventing the largest tax hike in history and providing additional tax relief to working families and small businesses. Expiration of these cuts would mean a $4 trillion tax increase, including a $2.6 trillion-plus tax hike on households earning less than $400,000 per year. The average Arkansan would avoid paying $2,325 more in taxes under the Senate-passed bill.
    Provisions addressing important tax priorities permanently include:
    Lowering tax rates and removing taxes on tips as well as overtime for millions of workers in addition to a sizable deduction for millions of low- and middle-income seniors;
    Increasing and enhancing the child tax credit and standard deduction claimed by over 90 percent of taxpayers;
    Extending the 20 percent small business deduction and enabling full expensing on capital investment as well as research and development; and
    Keeping the death tax from doubling for farm families and small business owners so they can be passed on to the next generation.
    Click here for more on the tax impact for Arkansans.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: McConnell on Senate Passage of President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kentucky Mitch McConnell
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement today regarding passage of the Senate version of the Reconciliation Bill:
    “The American people sent President Trump and Republican majorities to Washington with a clear mandate: secure the border, restore peace through strength and American energy dominance, and give working families and small businesses relief from the Biden economy.
    “Our votes today are a step toward fulfilling that duty. We’re bolstering border security, investing in programs that assist our farmers, raising take-home pay for working Kentuckians, and preventing the largest tax hike in American history.
    “In the realm of national defense, there is still more to be done. Reconciliation was an opportunity to make an urgent, additive investment on top of a steadily increasing base budget, not an invitation to offload major annual priorities to a one-time injection of funds. Largely missing this opportunity makes the Congress’ work to secure robust topline defense funding even more important, and I will continue to urge my colleagues and the Administration to meet growing and coordinated threats to America’s security with the resources they demand.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News 07/1/2025 Senators Blackburn and Hagerty Praise President Trump’s TVA Nominees

    US Senate News:

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

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) released the following joint statement after President Trump nominated three Tennesseans, Lee Beaman, Jeff Hagood, and Mitch Graves, to the board of the Tennessee Valley Authority:

    “The Tennessee Valley Authority is a critical part of our nation’s energy security, and we are pleased that President Trump has nominated three competent and visionary Tennesseans to the board who will help achieve America’s nuclear renaissance and deliver affordable and abundant energy. These nominees are a strong departure from the Biden-era TVA board which failed to meet the moment. We urge colleagues to swiftly confirm President Trump’s TVA board nominees to make certain the United States leads the world in next-generation nuclear and wins the global race for energy dominance.”

    RELATED

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gillibrand Statement on Senate Passage of Trump’s Big Beautiful Betrayal of the American People

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand

    Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement after Senate passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act:

    “This destructive bill is a big, beautiful betrayal of the American people. President Trump and Senate Republicans are cutting health care and food assistance for working families in order to give massive tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans. Just as bad, this bill will raise the cost of living for working families by thousands of dollars. It’s outrageous and I will continue fighting to defeat it.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Luján: Republican Bill Betrays New Mexico Families by Taking an Axe to Health Care, Nutrition Programs, and Rural Communities

    US Senate News:

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

    WATCH: Luján Holds Senate Floor During Midnight Session 

    WATCH: Luján Introduces Amendment to Save SNAP 

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement after Senate Republicans voted to pass their partisan budget reconciliation bill: 

    “Senate Republicans just pushed through a budget bill that hurts New Mexican families. In their rush to meet President Trump’s demands, they voted blindly, with no regard for the harm this bill will inflict on all of our constituents.

    “This Republican bill guts health care for children and families, strips food assistance from our neighbors, and puts rural hospitals and grocery stores on the brink of closure – all to hand out massive tax cuts to the ultra-wealthy and big corporations. It also adds more than $3 trillion to the national debt – driving up interest rates across the board, making car loans and mortgages more expensive for families, and raising borrowing costs for small businesses and farmers.

    “This bill is not just bad policy – it’s a failure of leadership and a betrayal of New Mexico families, rural communities, and American values.”

    Senator Luján backed a series of amendments and motions to the Republican reconciliation bill aimed at protecting access to health care and nutrition programs and lowering costs for New Mexicans. Senate Republicans blocked these common-sense proposals from Senator Luján and Senate Democrats. Among those measures:

    Keeping Food on the Table for New Mexicans: 

    Millions of families rely on nutrition assistance programs. Senator Luján led a motion to protect funding for SNAP that ensures New Mexico families and children have access to nutritious food. These programs also support New Mexico’s farmers, ranchers, and local communities that rely on these dollars to keep food on shelves and economies strong. 

    Defending Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act:

    Republicans are trying to pay for tax breaks for the wealthy and big corporations by ripping away Medicaid coverage from millions of Americans. New Mexico has the highest per-capita Medicaid enrollment in the country, and children, pregnant women, and working families depend on it. Senator Luján supported a motion to strengthen Medicaid and protect health care for New Mexicans.

    Keeping New Mexico Communities Safe:

    Amid a nationwide shortage of police officers, Senator Luján proposed a motion to provide increased resources for local law enforcement by funding the COPS Hiring Program. Senator Luján previously led dozens of his colleagues in calling for additional funding for public safety.

    Protecting New Mexicans from Wildfires:

    As wildfires continue to devastate New Mexico and the West, Senator Luján supported a motion to invest in wildfire prevention and protect our communities from future disasters.

    Protecting Clean Energy Investments:

    As the climate crisis grows more urgent – and Republicans push to gut clean energy programs – Senator Luján supported amendments to safeguard investments in our energy future and reduce costs.

    Lowering Taxes for Small Businesses and the Middle Class: 

    To bring down costs for New Mexico families and small businesses, Senator Luján supported amendments that would provide tax relief to the middle class and small businesses.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Votes No on Republicans’ Disastrous Tax Bill 

    US Senate News:

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

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Finance and Judiciary Committees, and Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, released the following statement after voting in strong opposition against Senate Republicans’ disastrous tax bill:   
    “We have an obligation to put the constituents and hardworking families we represent first. Instead of helping everyday people, Republicans’ tax bill capitulates to President Trump and harms communities large and small. This cruel bill will take us back decades by exacerbating income inequality, ripping away health care, and rolling back progress on climate change. It will also raise costs and weaken the economy. All of this pain has been caused to help pay for tax cuts for the very wealthy—a top priority of President Trump. I am grateful to the few Republicans—Senators Tillis, Paul, and Collins—who voted against this terrible bill,” said Senator Welch. “The irony is all these hardships will be faced by citizens in red and blue states—the pain is bipartisan. It’s outrageous that families will now face untold hardships because of the Trump Administration’s cuts. I voted no on this bill and will fight to reverse these policies in any way I can.”  
    Republicans’ reckless tax and spending bill will block access to health care for 17 million people, rip away vital food assistance for millions, cut clean energy incentives and add a tax to wind and solar energy, raise utility bills and grocery prices, and tank the economy—all to pay for tax cuts for the very wealthy.    
    Senator Welch filed amendments and changes to Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act to strengthen the economy, protect access to health care and nutrition programs, and provide more stability for families and rural communities, including provisions to: 
    Protect Access to Health Care and Support Rural Hospitals:  

    Welch proposed requiring the Finance Committee to rewrite the bill to prevent harm to rural health care and the fiscal wellbeing of rural hospitals;  

    Welch proposed requiring the Finance Committee to exempt managed care programs operated by state governments like Vermont from any changes proposed to state directed payments.  

    Welch proposed requiring the Finance Committee to strike any changes to provider taxes, including changes that would impact states like Vermont with Medicaid expansion;  

    Welch proposed requiring the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee to make it easier to verify eligibility for the Affordable Care Act’s premium tax credits and expand special enrollment periods under certain circumstances. 

    Defend Food Assistance Programs:  

    Welch proposed requiring the Agriculture Committee to strike any cost-shifts of administering SNAP to states, which would kick American families off the food assistance they need and strain state budgets;  

    Welch proposed an amendment to strike administrative cost-shifts for SNAP;  

    Welch proposed an amendment to adjust the Thrifty Food Plan for cities, counties, and regions where the price of food is 10% higher than the national average;  

    Welch proposed an amendment that places a floor on SNAP allotments to households instead of a ceiling;  

    Welch proposed an amendment preserving the standard utility deduction, which cuts administrative red tape and boosts benefits by providing a more accurate portrayal of a household’s available resources for food when determining SNAP eligibility; 

    Welch proposed requiring the Agriculture Committee to rewrite the bill to allow volunteer work to qualify under SNAP’s work requirements.   

    Protect Programs and Government Services:  

    Welch proposed requiring the Finance Committee to rewrite the bill to maintain the energy efficient home improvement tax credit at current levels through 2028;  

    Welch proposed an amendment to strike the repeal of several home energy efficiency tax credits, including credits for home energy, rooftop solar, energy efficient homes for homebuilders, and more;  

    Welch proposed striking language in the bill that would rescind funding for state-based contractor training grants, as required in Welch’s HOPE for HOMES Act, passed as part of the Inflation Reduction Act;  

    Welch proposed striking language in the bill that would institute taxes on international remittances.  

    Welch proposed an amendment to dedicate funding for residential reentry centers, which are needed in Vermont;  

    Welch proposed an amendment to dedicate funding for the federal public defenders program, which is currently underfunded. 

    Senator Welch has been an outspoken opponent of the President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which Republicans are advancing through reconciliation process without Democratic support. Late Sunday evening, Senator Welch took to the Senate floor to reveal how Republicans’ disastrous tax and spending bill will force millions of working Americans in Vermont, West Virginia, and across the country to lose their health coverage, rip away vital food assistance for more than 42 million Americans, cut clean energy incentives and add a tax to wind and solar energy, raise utility bills and grocery prices, and tank the economy—all to pay for tax cuts for the very wealthy.   
    Welch has slammed the bill for threatening access to health care and cutting food assistance, and has sounded the alarm about how this bill will add more than $4 trillion to the national debt and tank the economy.    

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sen. Budd Votes for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act ToDeliver Historic Tax Cuts for North Carolina Families

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ted Budd (R-North Carolina)
    Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) released the following statement after voting in support of President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, historic legislation that lowers taxes for families, makes America safer and more secure, and unleashes economic growth for the future:
    “I voted in favor of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act because the people of North Carolina deserve more of their hard-earned wages, a more secure border, a reinvigorated military, responsible spending reforms for government programs, and a thriving economy. My colleagues and I fought successfully to protect North Carolina’s tobacco growers to help them stay competitive with China. I am also grateful that this bill included my PELL Act, which will help Americans earn in-demand credentials for rewarding careers. I hope my colleagues in the House quickly get this bill on President Trump’s desk because Americans cannot afford the largest tax increase in our nation’s history,” said Sen. Budd. 
    Here’s How the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Directly Benefits North Carolina:
    Provides Unprecedented Tax Relief for Families
    This legislation helps Americans keep more money in their pockets by extending key provisions of President Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Preventing the largest tax increase in American history will save the average North Carolinian $2,474 in 2026.
    Working families will receive significant savings with the increase and permanence of the child tax credit, expanded tax credits for paid leave, enhanced 529 savings accounts, and additional childcare access.
    This legislation lowers taxes for seniors relying on Social Security.
    Gives Workers the Tools They Need to Advance Their Careers
    Sen. Budd fought to have his PELL Act included in this legislation, a provision that expands Pell Grant eligibility for high-quality, short-term workforce programs. This would benefit individuals seeking to advance their careers without long-term debt while also providing American businesses with a broader, better-prepared talent pool ready to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving economy.
    Protects North Carolina Agriculture
    Sen. Budd successfully defended tobacco’s eligibility to receive the “duty drawback,” allowing tobacco manufacturers to receive reimbursement for the tariffs they pay on materials used to produce tobacco products that they ship to international markets. This will protect North Carolina growers and prevent the tobacco market from being flooded with cheaper, lower-quality products from China and Brazil.
    This legislation provides serious tax relief for North Carolina farmers by raising the death tax exemption, ensuring family farms can be passed down to future generations, rather than being broken up and sold.
    Unlocks Economic Growth & American Manufacturing
    This legislation will create a renaissance in American manufacturing by delivering full expensing for companies that build new factories and invest in equipment and machinery. This will help create new, good-paying jobs.
    By enhancing the small business deduction and making it permanent, small businesses will be able to hire more workers.
    Increasing deductions for small businesses’ equipment and property will quickly help businesses grow.
    Reduces Government Spending to Preserve & Protect Government Programs
    This legislation contains the first structural reforms to address waste, fraud, and abuse in key government programs like SNAP and Medicaid in over three decades. Slowing the rate of exponential cost increases will result in significant deficit savings and will preserve and protect these programs for future generations.
    Invests in America’s National Defense
    Sen. Budd helped secure funding to boost manufacturing capacity for the next generation of the F-15, the F-15EX, which will sustain the training mission at Seymour Johnson far into the future. 
    This legislation also includes significant funding to enhance America’s air superiority by preventing the retirement of the F-15E aircraft flying out of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. 
    America’s troops deserve a pay raise. This legislation increases pay and allowances while making improvements to housing, healthcare, childcare, and education.
    This legislation makes generational investments in our military readiness that will protect the American homeland and deter our adversaries by boosting America’s missile defense by building the “Golden Dome.”
    Sen. Budd worked to secure investments to improve housing at Fort Bragg and Seymour Johnson and funds for restoration and modernization at Camp Lejeune.
    This legislation creates new production lines to scale innovative, cost-effective munitions, so we are no longer shooting $4M missiles at $50,000 drones.
    This legislation makes the largest ever investment in the Coast Guard’s history, which will purchase more than 40 new helicopters and six new C-130J aircraft, which will be serviced at the Aviation Technical Training Center in Elizabeth City. The legislation also funds 17 new icebreakers to protect American interests and 21 new cutters to combat drug runners and human traffickers.
    Keeps America’s Border Secure
    While President Trump’s policies have resulted in a dramatic drop-off of illegal immigration, this legislation also boosts America’s border security by surging funding for 3,000 new Border Patrol agents and 10,000 new ICE agents. The One Big Beautiful Bill also increases funding to finish President Trump’s border wall.
    Ushers in Next-Generation Technologies
    This legislation includes funding for the transformational air traffic control modernization project underway at the FAA. This will quickly update aging and failing technologies to keep Americans safe in the sky.
    This legislation makes a historic amount of spectrum available for commercial use, which will create new jobs and unleash the next generation of wireless technology. This will ensure America remains the premier destination for innovation and help unleash a new area of advanced manufacturing. This will also make the internet faster & more dependable across the country through commercial success stories like 5G, 6G, wi-fi, and private networks using CBRS.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Bipartisan Warren, Scott (Fla.) Letter Questions Biden Defense Secretary’s Decision to Launch Lobbying Firm

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    July 01, 2025
    Austin publicly promised Warren in 2021 he would not become a lobbyist after leaving government service
    “When our highest-ranking government officials and military officers treat their positions as steppingstones to personal enrichment, they corrupt the very institution they swore to defend.” 
    Text of Letter (PDF)
    Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.), both members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, wrote to former Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin seeking an explanation and further information on his recent decision to start a strategic advisory firm. Austin had publicly promised Senator Warren during his 2021 confirmation process that he would not become a lobbyist after his government service ended. 
    On June 3, 2025, Politico reported that Austin was launching Clarion Strategies, along with other former Biden defense and national security officials, to help clients “navigate geopolitical upheaval…, advancements in defense technology…, [and] global trade shifts and emerging alliances among U.S. adversaries like Russia, China, North Korea and China.” This new venture undermines his promises to Senator Warren to “ensure that the public has no reason to question my impartiality” and “[had] no intent to be a lobbyist.” 
    “The revolving door between the Pentagon and K Street has been spinning for years during both Democratic and Republican administrations. In your case, this move is particularly disappointing because you made a clear promise during your nomination hearing to uphold the public trust,” wrote the senators. 
    Austin’s pledges helped secure similar commitments from other defense nominees, including Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Heidi Shyu, and Under Secretary of the Army Gabriel Camarillo. 
    Austin appears to have found a loophole by serving as an “adviser” rather than a registered lobbyist. 
    “[That] undermines the very purpose of the promise that you made to the American people: to close the revolving door of government officials cashing in on their public service by lobbying, advising…” wrote the lawmakers.
    The senators demanded clarity on Austin’s new role by July 14, 2025, including whether he’ll register to lobby on behalf of any company; if any current or prospective clients have contracts with the Defense Department; if he’ll work on behalf of any foreign government; if he’ll recuse from any matters involving any companies he worked with as Defense Secretary; and whether any clients would benefit from his security clearance. 
    As leaders of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel, Senators Warren and Scott held a hearing on the dangers of the revolving door. Both have also introduced legislation to tackle the revolving door, with Senator Warren introducing the Department of Defense Ethics and Anti-Corruption Act and Senator Scott introducing the Banning Lobbying and Safeguarding Trust (BLAST) Act to ban members of Congress from lobbying.
    Senator Warren has long sought to protect servicemembers and national security by pushing defense nominees to resolve their conflicts of interest: 
    In May 2025, Senator Warren pressed Mr. Michael Obadal, nominee for Under Secretary of the Army, on his refusal to divest from major defense contractors.
    In April 2025, Senator Warren secured a commitment from Lieutenant General John D. Caine, President Trump’s nominee to be the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, not to work for any major defense contractors—or companies affected by his official actions—after leaving government service. 
    In March 2025, ahead of his confirmation vote, Senator Elizabeth Warren wrote to Deputy Defense Secretary Nominee Stephen Feinberg, urging him to recuse himself from all matters related to Ligado Networks, which has a pending $39 billion lawsuit against the DoD. 
    In March 2025, Senator Elizabeth Warren wrote to Mr. Emil Michael, nominee for Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, with concern over his history of inappropriate behavior at work, his attacks on journalists and public accountability, and his ties to technology companies that may seek contracts with the Department of Defense. 
    In February 2025, ahead of his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Elizabeth Warren wrote to Mr. Stephen Feinberg, nominee for Deputy Secretary of the Department of Defense, pressing him to explain his “serious conflicts of interest” and his track record of mismanagement.
    In January 2025, Senator Elizabeth Warren wrote to Mr. Michael Duffey, nominee for Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment of the Department of Defense, ahead of his confirmation hearing, with serious concerns about his record, which include violating the law, disregarding Congressional authority, and his involvement in Project 2025. 
    In January 2025, Senator Elizabeth Warren wrote to Mr. Pete Hegseth, nominee for Secretary of the Department of Defense, regarding his ethics conflicts ahead of the Senate’s consideration of his nomination. Mr. Hegseth’s household’s ownership of stock in several defense contractors and his unwillingness to commit to the same post-employment restrictions he previously advocated for were particularly troubling for a prospective Secretary of Defense.
    In March 2024, Senator Elizabeth Warren secured ethics commitments from Douglas Schmidt, ahead of his confirmation to be the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) for the Department of Defense.
    In July 2023, Senator Elizabeth Warren secured a commitment from General Charles Q. Brown, Jr., President Biden’s nominee to be the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, not to become a defense industry lobbyist or receive compensation from a defense contractor for four years after leaving government service. 
    In June 2023, Senator Elizabeth Warren and representative Andy Kim reintroduced the Department of Defense Ethics and Anti-Corruption Act, to limit the influence of contractors on the military, constrain foreign influence on retired senior military officers, and assert greater transparency over contractors and their interaction with DoD.
    In July 2021, Senator Elizabeth Warren secured agreements to four-year recusals from former clients’ and employers’ party matters from then-Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall and then-USD(R&E) Heidi Shyu.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senate Republicans Block Duckworth Effort to Protect Veterans and Other Americans from Going Hungry as a Result of Trump’s Big, Beautiful Betrayal

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

    June 30, 2025

    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today sought to protect Veterans and many other Americans from going hungry because of cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) included in Trump’s so-called “Big, Beautiful Bill” (BBB) that Senate Republicans are rushing to jam through tonight. Duckworth’s effort would have instructed the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee to change the BBB to ensure it would not reduce or terminate SNAP benefits for Veterans, homeless individuals, former foster youth 24 years of age or younger or for parents with children under 18 years of age, but her proposal was blocked by Senate Republicans on a vote of 49-51.

    “Back when I was in high school, my family struggled. We had no money and some days no food, teetering on the brink of homelessness, never sure what tomorrow would bring. I was only elected Senator… I was only able to become an Army pilot… I probably only was able to finish high school because of basic needs programs like SNAP.

    “Donald Trump and Senate Republicans are trying to snatch away these critical safety net programs like health care and SNAP from countless families—including Veterans, homeless people, former foster youth and many other Americans seemingly for no other reason than cruelty for cruelty’s sake—and to give a tax cut to Donald Trump and his billionaire buddies. I’m pissed off that they would look me in the eye on the Senate Floor and then block this critical proposal to help protect so many Americans from going hungry. It’s shameful.”

    In Fiscal Year 2023, an average of 42.2 million individuals—and about 1 in 5 children—in 22.3 million households participated in SNAP each month. Monthly benefits are already insufficient, and averaged only $211.65 per person and $400.15 per household.

    Under current SNAP rules, most adults aged 18 through 54 without children in their household can receive food benefits for just three months in a three-year period unless they show compliance with a 20-hour-per-week work requirement or prove they qualify for an exemption, such as having a disability—though Veterans, homeless individuals and former foster youth 24 years of age or younger have been exempt from those requirements.

    The Senate bill eliminates these exemptions, terminating SNAP benefits for nearly 300,000 people in these populations. In addition, the SNAP program has long exempted parents from work requirements, but the Senate bill eliminates these exemptions for parents with kids over the age of 13.

    Despite those exemptions continuing under even the House-passed BBB, Senate Republicans are seeking to remove them and limit SNAP benefits to these currently-protected populations. The Senate Republican bill would terminate SNAP benefits for at least 2.87 million people—including 1.2 million Veterans—and reduce benefits for tens of millions more.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: As Vote-A-Rama On Republican Budget Betrayal Hits 24 Hours, Luján Standing Strong for New Mexicans

    US Senate News:

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

    WATCH: Luján Holds Senate Floor During Midnight Session 

    WATCH: Luján Introduces Amendment to Save SNAP

    Washington, D.C. – As the Senate vote-a-rama on the Republican Budget Betrayal hits 24 hours, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) has been on the Senate floor throughout the night fighting for New Mexicans.

    KEY MOMENTS:

    24 Hour Mark of the Vote-A-Rama: Good morning from the Senate steps. We’ve been voting on amendments for nearly 24 hours straight. Senate Republicans still haven’t called a final vote on their budget betrayal because they don’t have the votes. @SenateDems aren’t backing down. No matter how long this takes.

    Standing Up for New Mexicans in the Dark of Night: It’s almost midnight in Washington and we’re still voting on GOP budget amendments. Senate Republicans are flying completely blind — still scrambling to finalize a bill they’ve been rewriting all day (and for months) to meet President Trump’s demands. This process is messy, but this bill is going to be even messier.

    Standing Up Against the Republican Budget Betrayal With Senator Smith: We’re fighting back against this Republican budget betrayal because it’s downright terrible — and devastating for families in New Mexico, Minnesota, and across the country.

    Leading Charge to Save SNAP: Senator Luján delivered a speech on the Senate floor offering an amendment to the Republican budget bill to save the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – to protect food assistance for kids, seniors, and veterans. All but two Republicans voted to keep these devastating cuts in the bill.

    Highlighting Impacts of Republican Betrayal Bill on New Mexicans: Senator Luján took to the Senate floor to deliver a floor speech detailing how the Republican budget bill would devastate New Mexico’s families, farmers and ranchers, and children and seniors.

    LOCAL COVERAGE:

    Source NM: New Mexico Democratic Sen. Ben Ray Luján offered a motion to commit the bill back to committee in order to remove all changes related to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. It was rejected following a 49-51 vote, though Alaska Republican Sens. Dan Sullivan and Murkowski voted in favor.

    KSFR: According to Lujan, the bill’s cuts to the Affordable Care Act would take health care away from 17 million Americans. New Mexico’s junior senator argued that the bill would also force rural hospitals and grocery stores to close…and said that it would add three trillion dollars to the national debt.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: GOP Votes Down Warnock Amendment to Save Georgia Jobs, Protect Rural Manufacturing Boom

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia

    GOP Votes Down Warnock Amendment to Save Georgia Jobs, Protect Rural Manufacturing Boom

    Senator Reverend Warnock took to the Senate floor to offer a bipartisan amendment to protect hundreds of thousands of clean energy jobs across the country
    Senator Warnock was instrumental in passing these clean energy tax credits, which are responsible for 42,000 good-paying jobs in Georgia
    In his effort to save these Georgia jobs, Senator Warnock penned an op-ed in the AJC, held a press conference in Savannah, and published a report on the risks posed to Georgia should the tax credits be repealed
     Senator Reverend Warnock: “Those 42,000 Georgia jobs and hundreds of thousands of jobs nationwide are at risk if Republicans have their way and roll back these tax credits”
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) took to the floor of the United States Senate to urge his GOP colleagues to pass a bipartisan amendment to protect hundreds of thousands of jobs in communities across the country. Senate Republicans voted down his motion by a vote of 48-51.
    As currently written, the GOP spending bill would eliminate many of the clean energy tax credits included in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) that have brought a manufacturing boom to communities across the U.S.
    “Mr. President, I rise to protect pro-business tax credits that are creating hundreds of thousands of American jobs, many of which don’t require a college degree…” said Senator Warnock. “42,000 Georgia jobs and hundreds of thousands of jobs nationwide are at risk if Republicans have their way and roll back these tax credits.”
    Senator Warnock has warned his colleagues repeatedly of the risks that repealing clean energy tax credits will have on Americans across the country. In May, Senator Warnock published a report highlighting the impact that the cuts would have on Georgia and its economy. The Senator followed his report with a press conference in Savannah at the Georgia Ports Authority warning of the impact on rural communities and an op-ed in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Georgia is the single largest recipient of IRA tax credits in the U.S., with over $28 billion in investment, 42,000 jobs, and 51 projects announced in the state.
    The Warnock Amendment would force the Senate to reconsider its current path toward repealing the clean energy tax credits in the GOP spending bill by returning the bill to the Senate Finance Committee for additional consideration.
    In recent days, a bipartisan push urging GOP senators to reverse their proposed cuts has swept the country. Last week, Georgia lawmakers sent a letter to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-ID) asking him to reconsider his support for the rollback of solar energy tax credits, writing: “We urge you not to weaken the tax credits, as doing so would only harm the manufacturing renaissance in Georgia while creating opportunities for Chinese companies to take over the solar industry.”
    Nationwide analyses show that the “vast majority” of projects announced following the passage of the clean energy tax credits have been investments in Congressional districts currently held by Republicans. This is particularly true in Georgia where 83 percent of the projects, 94 percent of the total investment, and 75 percent of the jobs are in Republican districts. More than 95 percent of the new jobs and investments are in counties where the percentage of people with a bachelor’s degree is below the national average. 
    Full remarks available below:
    Mr. President. I rise to protect pro-business, pro-worker tax credits that are creating hundreds of thousands of American clean energy manufacturing jobs, many of which don’t require a college degree.
    Put simply, these tax credits are working: I know firsthand because they’re working right now in Georgia.
    Businesses which we’ve invested $1 [federally], we’ve seen [private] investments as much as $4.50.
    They’ve helped create 42,000 new manufacturing and construction jobs, many in rural parts of our state that are too often left behind by Washington politicians. Those 42,000 Georgia jobs and hundreds of thousands of jobs nationwide are at risk if Republicans have their way and roll back these tax credits.
    That’s why North America’s Building Trades Unions called this bill the “biggest job-killing bill in the history of this country.”
    I urge my colleagues to vote with America’s workers and vote YES on my Motion to Commit.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Republicans Block Murray Amendment to Stop Republicans’ Big Ugly Betrayal Bill From Defunding Planned Parenthood

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    ICYMI: Senator Murray Statement on Ruling Allowing Republicans to Defund Planned Parenthood in Budget Reconciliation Bill

    ICYMI: In Senate Floor Speech, Murray Rails Against Republican Bill That Will Rip Away Health Care, Nutrition Assistance, Abortion Access & Balloon National Debt to Fund Tax Cuts for Billionaires

    In Murray-led forum for Dobbs anniversary, Senator Murray laid out how defunding Planned Parenthood is part of Republicans’ strategy for a Backdoor Nationwide Abortion Ban

    ***VIDEO HERE of Senator Murray speaking on her amendment***

    Washington, D.C. — Today on the Senate floor, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a senior member and former Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, put forward an amendment to Senate Republicans’ reconciliation bill to fully strike Section 71115 of Republicans’ reconciliation bill, the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Section 71115 would achieve anti-abortion extremists’ long-sought goal of “defunding” Planned Parenthood by cutting off Planned Parenthood health centers from receiving federal Medicaid funding for the care they provide for millions of low-income women across the country—including birth control, cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment, and wellness exams.

    Section 71115 is estimated to cost taxpayers $52 million over the next 10 years, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The revised data comes after Senate Republicans put forth new bill text late Friday night that changes the “defund” Planned Parenthood provision from 10 years to one year.

    Defunding Planned Parenthood will put at least 200 health centers across the country at risk of closure— 90 percent of them in states where abortion is legal—and rip away health care for more than 1.1 million people, many of whom might not be able to get care anywhere else. Recent research from the Guttmacher Institute found that, contrary to Republicans’ claims, Federally Qualified Health Centers do not have the capacity to readily serve the millions of people who currently rely on Planned Parenthood for care.

    Republicans blocked Senator Murray’s amendment, 51-49.

    MURRAY AMENDMENT #2771: Senator Murray offered an amendment to strike Section 71115 of the reconciliation bill, “Federal Payments to Prohibited Entities,” which would cut off Planned Parenthood health centers from receiving federal Medicaid funding for one year.

    Senator Murray said on the Senate floor when offering her amendment, #2771:

    “Mr. President, my amendment is about a really important issue that has not gotten near enough attention for how devastating it will be for women in our country.

    “Republicans’ bill will cut millions of women off from birth control, cancer screenings, essential preventive health care—care that they will not be able to afford anywhere else. And it will shutter some 200 health care clinics in our country.

    “And it will take another step towards enacting Republicans’ plan for a Backdoor Nationwide Abortion Ban. How does it do this? By defunding Planned Parenthood.

    “This is a long-sought goal of anti-choice extremists—no surprise, it is overwhelmingly unpopular with the American people.

    “But Republicans are bent on ripping away any access to abortion care, and happy to cut off this lifesaving care. No matter that women may not have another place to get the care that they can afford, or another place they can get any care at all!

    “This amendment, that I’m offering, will strip the awful provision to defund Planned Parenthood from this bill, and protect health care access for the millions of patients who rely on Planned Parenthood health centers.

    “I urge a Yes vote.”

    Senator Murray has been the leading voice in the Senate speaking out and raising the alarm against Republican efforts to defund Planned Parenthood. Earlier this week, at her forum on the anniversary of the Dobbs decision, Senator Murray spoke about Republicans’ plan to institute a backdoor nationwide abortion ban and laid out how defunding Planned Parenthood is a key part of that strategy.

    Earlier on Sunday, Senator Murray delivered a lengthy speech on the Senate floor where she laid out in detail how Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act will rip away health care from millions of Americans, shutter the doors of hospitals and health care clinics across the country, make the largest cuts to Medicaid and nutrition assistance in history, and blow up the national debt—all so Republicans can fund massive tax breaks for billionaires. Murray also spoke out repeatedly during debate on the Senate floor against Republicans’ use of a so-called “current policy baseline” to hide the true cost of their deficit-busting tax cuts for billionaires.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hagerty, 18 Senate Colleagues Reintroduce Legislation to End Counting of Illegal Immigrants in Determining Electoral College Votes and Congressional District Apportionment

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Tennessee Bill Hagerty

    Counting illegal immigrants’ voting power encourages illegal immigration and destroys equal representation by making some citizens’ votes more powerful than others

    WASHINGTON—Today, United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Rules Committee, led his colleagues in reintroducing the Equal Representation Act, legislation to ensure that only legal citizens are factored into the count for Congressional districts and the Electoral College map that determines presidential elections. The current method of counting illegal immigrants for purposes of representation serves as a perverse incentive for open borders to boost the relative political power of the states and voters that court it.

    Currently, illegal immigrants are counted for congressional district apportionment and, therefore, Electoral College votes. For example, in a state like California, millions of illegal alien residents result in California taking several more congressional seats and Electoral College votes than the states’ population of citizens would justify. In other words, being a magnet for illegal immigration increases the power of a Californian’s vote relative to an individual in another state with less population boost from illegal immigration. This creates a perverse incentive encouraging illegal immigration and resettlement to increase political power.

    Co-sponsors of the legislation include Senators Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Budd (R-NC), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Steve Daines (R-MT), John Hoeven (R-ND), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Jim Justice (R-WV), James Lankford (R-OK), Mike Lee (R-UT), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Jim Risch (R-ID), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Rick Scott (R-FL), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), and Tommy Tuberville (R-AL).

    “It is unconscionable that illegal immigrants and non-citizens are counted toward congressional district apportionment and our electoral map for the presidency, which also heavily skews the seat count in the U.S. House of Representatives,” said Senator Hagerty. “While people continue to flee Democrat-run cities, desperate Democrats have back-filled the mass exodus with illegal immigrants so that they do not lose their seats in Congress or their electoral votes, hence artificially boosting their political power and in turn diluting the power of other Americans’ votes. I’m pleased to lead my colleagues in reintroducing this legislation that would require a citizenship question on the census and will ensure that only citizens are counted in congressional redistricting.”

    “Every ten years when the census is conducted, it’s imperative that only U.S. citizens are included in the count to determine the apportionment of congressional seats and allocation of Electoral College votes,” said Senator Britt. “Counting illegal aliens for these critical purposes only rewards reckless jurisdictions for supporting open borders and sanctuary policies. The Equal Representation Act is a straightforward and commonsense measure to uphold fundamental fairness, and I’m proud to cosponsor it.”

    “For years, Democrat-run sanctuary cities and states have used millions of illegal aliens to grow their political influence,” said Senator Budd. “Their actions have stripped power away from American citizens who deserve to have their voices and votes equally accounted for. Illegal aliens have no place dictating the congressional seats or Electoral College votes a state receives.”

    “The Census is the foundation for representation in our political system, and any census that could include non-citizens in the apportionment count is really concerning to me, and it ought to be to all North Dakotans,” said Senator Cramer. “Illegal immigrants and non-citizens cannot vote and should not be used as pawns as the Democrats redistrict in various states. Our Census has to count both Americans and non-Americans but should also distinguish between them.”

    “Only U.S. citizens should be included in Census Bureau counts to apportion congressional and Electoral College representation,” said Senator Crapo. “This vital reform would prevent states like California and New York from padding their population totals with those here illegally to tip the scales and boost their political power in Washington, D.C.”

    “The law is clear- illegal immigrants are not citizens of the United States and should not be counted as such,” said Senator Daines. “This bill is a commonsense measure to prohibit illegal immigrants from being counted in censuses, so that sanctuary cities can’t exploit the electoral college and taxpayer resources.” 

    “The Biden Administration’s open border policies have created the worst border crisis in history,” said Senator Johnson. “This bill ensures that congressional seats are apportioned based solely on U.S. citizens, protecting the integrity of our democratic system. Americans deserve to have their voices fully represented in Congress, not diluted by those who entered the country illegally.”

    “This is just commonsense,” said Senator Justice. “Absolutely no one who is in this country illegally should be counted when it comes to Congressional seats or Electoral College votes. Representation should be decided by American citizens-period. I am proud to support the Equal Representation Act to protect the integrity of our elections and to ensure every legal vote is counted equally.”

    “Only American citizens should count toward the apportionment of congressional seats and Electoral College votes,” said Senator Lummis. “Under current law, states harboring large illegal alien populations get extra representation and power at the expense of law-abiding states like Wyoming. This bill protects a fair electoral process and prevents Democrat-led states from ignoring federal immigration laws.”

    “The Equal Representation Act stands for a simple proposition: Americans should decide American elections,” said Senator Marshall. “States like California and New York should not be able to inflate their votes in the Electoral College—and in Congress—by counting non-citizens in the Census. I’m proud to support this bill to ensure that every vote in the Electoral College and Congress reflects the voices of American citizens only.”

    “Since 1820, the federal government has routinely utilized the Census to ask questions about citizenship status,” said Senator Ricketts. “This current policy rewards sanctuary cities and sanctuary states with outsized population because it’s counting people who came here illegally. Those people broke the law and must not be counted for representation. It’s fundamentally unfair to Nebraskans, or citizens in states who are following the law, to reward folks in states who are breaking the law. Only citizens can vote in elections and that’s the way it needs to remain.”

    “Democrats are undermining the rights of U.S. citizens by encouraging illegal immigrants to enter our country and skew congressional redistricting for political gain,” said Senator Risch. “The Equal Representation Act requires that the Census Bureau include a citizenship question ensuring American values and voices take priority.”

    “American elections should be determined by American citizens and American citizens alone,” said Senator Schmitt. “Voting is the foundation of our democracy, giving U.S. citizens a voice in shaping our future. I am proud to join this bill to protect Americans’ vote and keep our elections secure.”

    “Illegal aliens shouldn’t be allowed to break the law and be rewarded with taxpayer-funded benefits, and states that shelter them shouldn’t gain increased influence in Washington as a result,” said Senator Rick Scott. “Since illegal aliens are currently counted in the census, states like California receive disproportionate representation in the Electoral College and the House of Representatives. By restoring the census to its pre-2000 standard and including a citizenship question, this bill ensures that states like California don’t gain an unfair advantage over states like Florida, and that every citizen’s vote carries equal weight.”

    “Illegal aliens have no right to congressional representation in this country, and they have no right to determine who our elected leaders are,” said Senator Tuberville. “The balance of power shouldn’t be weighed down by people who aren’t citizens of this country. Counting illegals in the Electoral College and congressional districts can completely alter the outcome of our elections. Thankfully, President Trump and his administration are deporting illegals in droves. I’m proud to join Senator Hagerty in reintroducing the Equal Representation Act so that ONLY Americans determine our elected leaders.”

    The Equal Representation Act:

    • Requires that the Census Bureau include a citizenship question on any future census to provide a greater understanding of the U.S. population and delineate between citizens and non-citizens for apportionment purposes;
    • Prohibits non-citizens from being counted for purposes of congressional district and Electoral College apportionment; and
    • Requires that the Census Bureau publicly report on certain demographic data.

    Background:

    • In January 2024, Hagerty led his Senate Republican colleagues in introducing the Equal Representation Act.
    • In March 2024, every single Senate Democrat voted against Hagerty’s legislation as an amendment to appropriations bills, which put them on the record siding with illegal aliens over American citizens.
    • The House of Representatives passed the Equal Representation Act on May 8, 2024.
    • Following House passage, Senate Democrats once again blocked Hagerty’s legislation.
    • In a hearing, former Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo admitted to Hagerty that higher local illegal alien populations equal more Congressional seats and Electoral Votes.

    Full text of the legislation can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI—Hagerty Joins Balance of Power on BloombergTV to Discuss Senate Passage of “One, Big Beautiful Bill”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Tennessee Bill Hagerty

    WASHINGTON—Today, United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Appropriations, Banking, and Foreign Relations Committees and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, joined Balance of Power on BloombergTV to discuss Senate passage of the budget reconciliation package.

    *Click the photo above or here to watch*

    Partial Transcript

    Hagerty on the economic growth that will result from passing the budget reconciliation package: “It’s going to be a very long night and could well go into tomorrow morning. But at the end of the day, what we’re going to do is prevent the largest tax increase that Americans have ever seen. This is a tax relief that Americans need. We’re talking about a four-plus trillion-dollar tax increase. That would be the case if it were allowed to not pass. If you think about it, it’s a generational investment in our national defense. It’s going to put us back on the path for energy independence as a nation. And most important, it’s going to stimulate longer-term capital investment, which will beget growth. That growth will beget more employment, more employment will beget more economic activity, which means we’re going to have higher tax revenues for the government as a result.”

    Hagerty on the inaccurate scoring of the budget reconciliation package: “I don’t agree with their willingness to rely on authorities. I’m putting air quotes around that, like the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The CBO missed the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act revenue by more than a trillion dollars. As a businessperson—I’ve been a businessperson my entire life—the type of capital investment they’re going to stimulate over the long term is definitely going to generate much more economic activity. And I think the models are wrong. I do not agree with the approach that has been taken that suggests this is going to be a big deficit bomb. In fact, I think it’s going to be a growth generator that’s going to put our deficit back on the curve in the right direction to reduce the deficit […] It’s been quite frustrating to see numbers that just as a logical person, as a businessperson, clearly you say that there’s no way these calculations are right. What they leave out, what they don’t include, that the overreliance on tax revenue, so to speak, when you know that companies and individual behaviors will change if taxes go up. The model does not work.”

    Hagerty on future budget reconciliation packages: “I certainly support another one of these packages. We’ll have an opportunity to do it again and again. If you think about the work that was undertaken by Elon Musk and the team at DOGE that’s continuing, every department head, every agency head, has been charged with figuring out how to reduce the dramatic burden of regulations that was imposed just in the last administration. And to quantify that over the past four years of [former President] Joe Biden’s administration, that was an additional $1.4 trillion of compliance costs that were added to the U.S. economy. As that comes out, as these conflicting regulations, these burdensome sclerotic regulations come out of the system, I expect to see that those funds, instead of going toward a compliance, fall to the bottom line and get reinvested in the economy. Again, all very pro-growth.”

    Hagerty on the collaboration between House and Senate Leadership: “Leader [John] Thune is trying to thread a very difficult needle, in terms of navigating through the Senate, with fifty-plus-one votes and having something that will work in the House of Representatives. Make no mistake: the leadership at the House of Representatives and here in the Senate have been working very closely together to make certain that we do thread that needle, that we’re able to turn something over to the House of Representatives that convenes tomorrow at noon, to set up the [Rules Committee] so that they can move this through the House, we can get it to the President’s desk, and get it signed by the 4th of July.”

    Hagerty on potential late-night votes: “It easily could go that way. I’ve been here voting all the way through the night and into the next morning, but we will vote as long as it takes to get here. There’s no time limit on this. It really has to do with how long the Democrats want to continue to fight, to put up their resistance movement again. They keep offering the same type of challenge over and over and over again and certainly dragging out the clock. I think what they want to do is get to primetime tonight. I’ve got to believe that their interest will wane after primetime hours. So, we’ll see how long it goes.”

    MIL OSI USA News –