NewzIntel.com

Category: US Senate

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla Blasts Judicial Nominee Emil Bove for Holding Loyalty to Trump Above the Rule of Law

    US Senate News:

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

    Padilla Blasts Judicial Nominee Emil Bove for Holding Loyalty to Trump Above the Rule of Law

    WATCH: Padilla presses Bove on his repeated lies and abuse of power

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) pressed Third Circuit Court of Appeals nominee Emil Bove on his extensive track record of lies, poor temperament, and political retribution during his Senate Judiciary Committee nominations hearing. Padilla slammed Bove for his role in firing dozens of Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecutors who worked on January 6 cases and the DOJ’s decision to drop the corruption charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams in exchange for assistance with President Trump’s mass deportations.

    Bove joined the Trump Administration’s DOJ in January 2025, first as Principal Deputy Attorney General and then Acting Deputy Attorney General, and has been integrally involved in some of the most significant Trump DOJ scandals. He also recently served as Trump’s personal lawyer in Trump’s classified documents case, a 2020 election interference case, and the Stormy Daniels hush money case.

    Padilla underscored that Bove’s nomination represents the latest example of Trump picking nominees not based on qualifications, but based on personal loyalty. He highlighted Bove’s consistent pattern of undermining the rule of law for political purposes, including purging the DOJ of employees prosecuting the January 6 rioters. Bove, who had himself worked on January 6 cases while an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, called the January 6 prosecutions “a grave national injustice,” and ordered the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to produce a list of everyone involved in them.

    • “It’s become clear that President Trump clearly has one litmus test when selecting people to appoint: it’s not experience, it’s not dedication to our country or the rule of law, it’s whether or not the potential nominee is willing to bend or ignore the law to satisfy the President’s whims. Now, I understand that elections have consequences, and one consequence is that a president who is elected will get to nominate judges for the duration of his term or her term, but selecting someone with such a deep track record of vindictive, duplicitous behavior, of abuse of power — that is and must be treated as unacceptable.”
    • “From Mr. Bove’s time with the Southern District of New York, to his time representing Donald Trump, to his time at the Trump Justice Department, it’s been demonstrated that he will not let the law stand in the way of doing what he wants. That’s why, as soon as Mr. Bove joined the Justice Department in an acting, unconfirmed capacity, he began an effort to purge the Department of Justice of perceived, ‘enemies,’ like the January 6 prosecutors.”

    Bove repeatedly sidestepped Senator Padilla’s questions on the January 6 insurrection, admitting he did not even know how many of the January 6 prosecutors were fired, and how many January 6 rioters President Trump pardoned. Padilla emphasized that Trump himself did not know the exact number of pardons, but estimated around 1,500 people — an impossible number to thoroughly vet before pardoning them. He warned of the dangerous message the condoning of political violence sends to the American people.

    • “To think that on the first day in office, he would have considered case by case, that volume of files to make the determination that they should be pardoned — that’s clearly not believable, and we know that dozens of those pardoned had prior criminal records, including rape, sexual abuse of a minor, domestic violence, and more.”

    Padilla also blasted Bove for his involvement in the decision to dismiss criminal corruption charges against Mayor Adams in exchange for his assistance in enacting the Trump Administration’s cruel anti-immigrant agenda.

    • “Mr. Bove’s actions in this case led eight prosecutors, eight, including the interim U.S. attorney Danielle Sassoon, who had clerked for Justice Scalia, to resign. But instead of firing him, Donald Trump plans to give him a lifetime appointment to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals in New Jersey, a state that Mr. Bove has very, very little ties to.”

    Watch Senator Padilla’s questioning of Bove here.

    Additionally, Padilla asked a second panel of four Trump judicial nominees, all nominated to the District Courts in Florida, a series of questions about whether the Executive Branch — including the President — must follow court orders.

    Earlier this week, Senator Padilla joined Senate Judiciary Democrats in requesting personnel records relevant to Emil Bove from Interim U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton. Padilla and Senate Judiciary Democrats previously filed a professional misconduct complaint against Bove with the New York State Bar, citing reported misconduct in moving to dismiss charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. The Senators expressed grave concern over Bove’s actions and requested a disciplinary investigation.

    More information on the hearing is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Tuberville Joins Colleagues in Press Conference on the Golden Dome

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)

    “We send billions of dollars overseas, and it’s past time that we make an investment in our national security.”

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) for a press conference to speak on the importance of developing the Golden Dome for America’s national security. He emphasized the need to invest in securing our airspace and ensure the U.S. is constantly on the cutting edge of defense technology. Sen. Tuberville also highlighted the capabilities of Redstone Arsenal and various defense companies in Huntsville, Alabama, as major leaders in the future development of the Golden Dome.

    Sens. Tuberville and Sullivan were joined by Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), John Hoeven (R-ND), and Tim Sheehy (R-MT). Representative Mark Messmer (R-IN-08) also joined the press conference. 

    Read Sen. Tuberville’s remarks below or watch on YouTube or Rumble.

    Vision and leadership. We couldn’t do that— this project—without President Trump. I don’t think anybody else you put in this situation would even have the tenacity to step up and do something like this. But, you know, the world has been amazed at the effectiveness of the Iron Dome [in Israel].


    They’ve been able to shoot down 90% of incoming threats. Think about that—90%—incredible. President Trump is exactly right. There is no reason why we shouldn’t have the same technology right here at home. This is a dangerous world, and it’s getting more dangerous every day. People made fun of President Reagan with his Star Wars program. And it was amazing. They laughed at him. They said it wouldn’t work. But he understood the growing danger that the American people really didn’t know. But now we’re all finding out. No other president since has been bold enough […] to step up and say, ‘we’ve got to have something to protect this country,’ and     thank God for President Trump.


    Now that the president is forcing our NATO partners to start paying their own share, we can focus on our own defense, and it’s about time. We need to do that. We can’t count on anybody else. It’s gonna have to be us, and the American taxpayers, and our military.


    We send billions of dollars overseas, and it’s past time that we make an investment in our national security. Thanks to President Trump, peace through strength is back. You know, the Senate is proposing nearly $2    5 billion dollars in a reconciliation package as a down payment to begin construction on this massive project, $25 billion. That’s just as I said—a down payment.


    That’s why getting the President’s One Big Beautiful Bill passed is critical for national security. Countries like Iran are openly chanting ‘Death to America,’ and we have to be able to protect ourselves. You know, there’s no better place to help design this and build and operate than in my home     state—Redstone Arsenal [in] Huntsville, Alabama.


    And let me tell you something. It is probably the best kept secret in this country. […    ] For more than 80 years, Redstone Arsenal has been leading the way in space, cybersecurity, and national defense. Huntsville’s talent, facilities, and resources are second to none all over the world. According to Forbes, Huntsville has the most engineers per capita in the world. That’s why you see more and more agencies expanding their footprint in Huntsville and the surrounding area—including: Missile Defense Agency, NASA, FBI, Missile and Space Intelligence Center, Defense Intelligence Agency, [and] the Army’s Material Command. Huntsville is also home to more than 500 defense contractors: Blue Origin, SpaceX, and United Launch Alliance. We will be big in building a lot of this Golden Dome. Huntsville helped put the first person on the moon. What a better place to help begin the origination of Golden Dome than Huntsville, Alabama. 

    So, thanks to President Trump, American dominance and deterrence his back. The Big Beautiful Bill is a down payment on the Golden Dome. It will help make sure America remains the strongest, most secure nation in the world. The Golden Dome Act will advance our security even further with critical investment in emerging technologies, many of which will be developed in my home state of Alabama. Thank you very much.”

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Tuberville on The Bottom Line: “Today’s a great day to fire Jerome Powell”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)

    WASHINGTON – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined Dagen McDowell and Guy Benson on The Bottom Line to discuss his recent calls for President Trump to fire the Chair of the Federal Reserve Jerome Powell. 

    Excerpts from Senator Tuberville’s interview can be found below, or viewed on YouTube or Rumble.

    McDOWELL: “Our next guest says, ‘Today’s a great day to fire Jerome Powell.’”

    BENSON: “He is Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville, and he joins us right now. Alright, Senator. So clearly, the President is very frustrated with Jay Powell. Powell was saying that he’s expecting this inflation to show up at some point. I guess the question that I have is: what if it doesn’t? How long does he wait?”

    TUBERVILLE: “Yeah. Well, he’s playing god, is what he’s doing. And inflation is as low as it’s been in months. And by the way, he did lower rates right before the election—for Kamala Harris. But, yeah, FJP– ‘Fire Jerome Powell’. We put that out every day online, and we’ve gotten a lot of hits from that. He’s killing our farmers, our small businesses, and the middle class, because there’s no homes for sale. The problem is people liked that 3% interest rate they got years ago–back before everything went to hell in a handbasket. And now, it’s up to 7-8%. Nobody wants to sell. There’s no homes out there. So, he’s putting the middle class and small businesses and farmers in tough shape.”

    McDOWELL: “Well, even the stock market, Senator, is telling him to cut rates, because the 2-year Treasury is well below–it’s at like 3.8%–well below the overnight lending rate that the Federal Reserve controls, which is at 4.25-4.5 [%]. I’ll tell you who’s gonna push him out. You don’t need to fire him and rattle the market. [Who is going to] push him out will be […] fellow Fed governors like Bowman, Waller, and Austan Goolsbee have all come out and said, ‘Yeah, we’re probably gonna need to cut rates in July.’ They’re pushing him and embarrassing him. And I venture a guess, they might want his job, and I can’t wait to see the infighting develop. That will just be the most delicious soap opera.” 

    BENSON: “Like Conclave.” 

    TUBERVILLE: “Yeah. Yeah. They’re pushing back right and left. We had Scott Bessent, the Secretary of Treasury, here for lunch today, and he spoke about the very same thing. They’re starting to infight a little bit. But at the end of the day, he’s playing politics. And he’s played politics. When I first got here 5 years ago, he came to my office and I asked him, you know, ‘Are you ever gonna raise rates?’ He waited forever to raise rates, you know, when Joe Biden went in, and then he kept raising. Now, he’s not not even thinking about lowering the rates. Miki Bowman, by the way–she’s Vice Chair of the [Federal Reserve]. I’ve known her for a long time. She’s very, very good. But she did not vote for those rate increases before the election. And, of course, she knew politics were involved. But we got to get politics out of all this mess. If he would drop 100 points down–which is basically one point today–that would save $300 or $400 billion dollars for the American taxpayers for a year. That’s a lot of money, and our debt is so high. We’ve got to find some way to pay it off.”

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Fischer Introduces Legislation to Bolster America’s Nuclear Enterprise

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nebraska Deb Fischer
    Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Chair of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee, introduced the NNSA Infrastructure Improvements Act of 2025 to bolster America’s nuclear enterprise. 
    The legislation would empower the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) to prioritize modernizing America’s nuclear infrastructure by following through on the steps outlined in its
    Enterprise Blueprint report.“Restoring peace through strength and keeping the homeland safe means maintaining a credible, modernized nuclear deterrent. We cannot meet the deterrence requirements of the future unless we recapitalize failing facilities and infrastructure dating back to the Manhattan Project.  My NNSA Infrastructure Improvements Act empowers the National Nuclear Security Administration to build upon the work they’ve done, and give Congress actionable information so that we responsibly plan for and fund the specialized facilities that help design, produce, and store the weapons needed to keep America safe,” said Fischer.Background:Last year, the NNSA released its Enterprise Blueprint report, which outlined a 25-year roadmap to ensure that its recapitalization strategy for specialized production facilities and science and technology infrastructure is aligned with its weapons production requirements. 
    The NNSA Infrastructure Improvements Act would require the NNSA to continuously update its Enterprise Blueprint and give Congress actionable information to inform future policy and funding decisions.
    Click here to read the text of the bill.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: McConnell On U.S. Hard and Soft Power at Senate Appropriations Hearing w/ OMB Director Vought

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kentucky Mitch McConnell

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense and a senior member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, participated in today’s full committee hearing where he questioned Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Russell Vought about spending on defense and foreign assistance: 

    “I’ll start by associating myself with the comments Chair Collins made about the importance of American soft power:

    “Interestingly enough, over my years in the Senate, the biggest supporters of soft power I have run into have been the military – generals – who are fully aware of how much more costly it is to have a war than to prevent one. And it’s at a very low cost to our country, built some pretty good relationships, particularly in countries in the Middle East that certainly wouldn’t be described as democratic.

    “Reforming the way we invest in peace and stability is certainly worthwhile. And there’s plenty of absolute nonsense masquerading as American aid that shouldn’t receive another bit of taxpayer funding.

    “But the Administration’s attempt to root it out has been unnecessarily chaotic. In critical corners of the globe, instead of creating efficiencies, you’ve created vacuums for adversaries like China to fill.

    “Responsible investments in soft power prevent conflict, preserve American influence, and save countless lives at the same time for pennies on the dollar.

    “So if we’re concerned about spending and we should be, it’s important to remember what wars cost. At the height of world war II, 37% of our GDP was spent on defense. In Korea, 13%. In Vietnam 9%. The Reagan buildup, only 6%. Obviously peace through strength means more than just saying it. It means actually demonstrating it.

    “So, that’s just a fact: that soft power at very little expense goes a long way.

    “And tellingly, some of the folks who talk most open about the importance of soft power, as I just indicated, are the military as they know exactly what I’ve already said about the cost of already having one.

    “I welcomed the President’s intention to restore American hard power. His repeated commitments to strengthen the military signaled that he understood this, like President Reagan, that peace through strength really has to be more than a slogan.

    “Likewise, his authorization of this weekend’s strikes, over the objections of isolationists who downplay the threat of a nuclear Iran, was another indication in the right direction.

    “But the Administration’s approach to funding the Department of Defense calls into question the ability to keep those campaign promises:

    “A continuing resolution that forces the Department to meet today’s requirements with yesterday’s dollars…

    “A base budget request that fails to keep pace with inflation, let alone with the “pacing threat” of China…

    “And a reconciliation lump-sum crowded with priorities that require stable, annual appropriations.

    “Our colleague, Chairman Wicker, and his House counterpart had hoped that reconciliation would be a one-time injection on top of a growing base budget, not a shell-game to avoid making the sort of annual investments we begged your Democratic predecessors to make.

    “I share this concern: we need sustained annual growth to meet the growing threats facing our country. 

    “At your confirmation hearing earlier this year, you said “we have to use taxpayer dollars wisely.”

    “I couldn’t agree more. I want to get the most out of every dollar the Department of Defense requires to keep America safe and advance our global interests.

    “But providing for the common defense is our most fundamental obligation.

    “Dividing funding for major existing bipartisan priorities between base budget and reconciliation isn’t just counterintuitive – it’s actually counterproductive.

    “And asking Congress to fund a budget that defines our strategy, rather than using strategy to define the budget, is dangerous.

    “So help me understand a few things:

    “Why haven’t we received the Administration’s analysis of the future year impacts of major reconciliation in investments like Golden Dome?

    “How do you propose to pay for them without significant increases to future base budgets?

    “Why has the Administration taken programs with broad and longstanding bipartisan support, like the Virginia-class submarines, and put them in a partisan reconciliation bill?

    “Finally, do you even believe we need sustained growth above inflation in our defense budget?

    “Or should we expect annual cuts from this Administration like we got from the Biden Administration?”

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: McConnell On U.S. Hard and Soft Power at Senate Appropriations Hearing w/ OMB Director Vought

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kentucky Mitch McConnell

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense and a senior member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, participated in today’s full committee hearing where he questioned Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Russell Vought about spending on defense and foreign assistance: 

    “I’ll start by associating myself with the comments Chair Collins made about the importance of American soft power:

    “Interestingly enough, over my years in the Senate, the biggest supporters of soft power I have run into have been the military – generals – who are fully aware of how much more costly it is to have a war than to prevent one. And it’s at a very low cost to our country, built some pretty good relationships, particularly in countries in the Middle East that certainly wouldn’t be described as democratic.

    “Reforming the way we invest in peace and stability is certainly worthwhile. And there’s plenty of absolute nonsense masquerading as American aid that shouldn’t receive another bit of taxpayer funding.

    “But the Administration’s attempt to root it out has been unnecessarily chaotic. In critical corners of the globe, instead of creating efficiencies, you’ve created vacuums for adversaries like China to fill.

    “Responsible investments in soft power prevent conflict, preserve American influence, and save countless lives at the same time for pennies on the dollar.

    “So if we’re concerned about spending and we should be, it’s important to remember what wars cost. At the height of world war II, 37% of our GDP was spent on defense. In Korea, 13%. In Vietnam 9%. The Reagan buildup, only 6%. Obviously peace through strength means more than just saying it. It means actually demonstrating it.

    “So, that’s just a fact: that soft power at very little expense goes a long way.

    “And tellingly, some of the folks who talk most open about the importance of soft power, as I just indicated, are the military as they know exactly what I’ve already said about the cost of already having one.

    “I welcomed the President’s intention to restore American hard power. His repeated commitments to strengthen the military signaled that he understood this, like President Reagan, that peace through strength really has to be more than a slogan.

    “Likewise, his authorization of this weekend’s strikes, over the objections of isolationists who downplay the threat of a nuclear Iran, was another indication in the right direction.

    “But the Administration’s approach to funding the Department of Defense calls into question the ability to keep those campaign promises:

    “A continuing resolution that forces the Department to meet today’s requirements with yesterday’s dollars…

    “A base budget request that fails to keep pace with inflation, let alone with the “pacing threat” of China…

    “And a reconciliation lump-sum crowded with priorities that require stable, annual appropriations.

    “Our colleague, Chairman Wicker, and his House counterpart had hoped that reconciliation would be a one-time injection on top of a growing base budget, not a shell-game to avoid making the sort of annual investments we begged your Democratic predecessors to make.

    “I share this concern: we need sustained annual growth to meet the growing threats facing our country. 

    “At your confirmation hearing earlier this year, you said “we have to use taxpayer dollars wisely.”

    “I couldn’t agree more. I want to get the most out of every dollar the Department of Defense requires to keep America safe and advance our global interests.

    “But providing for the common defense is our most fundamental obligation.

    “Dividing funding for major existing bipartisan priorities between base budget and reconciliation isn’t just counterintuitive – it’s actually counterproductive.

    “And asking Congress to fund a budget that defines our strategy, rather than using strategy to define the budget, is dangerous.

    “So help me understand a few things:

    “Why haven’t we received the Administration’s analysis of the future year impacts of major reconciliation in investments like Golden Dome?

    “How do you propose to pay for them without significant increases to future base budgets?

    “Why has the Administration taken programs with broad and longstanding bipartisan support, like the Virginia-class submarines, and put them in a partisan reconciliation bill?

    “Finally, do you even believe we need sustained growth above inflation in our defense budget?

    “Or should we expect annual cuts from this Administration like we got from the Biden Administration?”

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Warren Raises Concerns On Risks of Endless War Against Iran, Presses Commander Nominee for Answers on Military Preparations

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    June 25, 2025
    Warren: “Donald Trump is once again playing red light, green light. This time, war with Iran.” 
    Warren: “Only Congress can declare war, and the Senate must vote immediately to prevent another endless war.”
    Video of Exchange (YouTube)
    Washington, D.C. – At a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) expressed her concerns to Vice Admiral Charles B. Cooper II, nominee for Commander of United States Central Command (CENTCOM), regarding President Trump’s dragging the United States into a war with Iran without Congressional approval. 
    On June 21, President Trump ordered strikes against three nuclear facilities in Iran, warning that there were “many targets left to strike” and threatening “tragedy” if Iran did not surrender immediately. Prior to the strikes, the U.S. intelligence community was in agreement that Iran did not pose an imminent threat to the United States and that Iran was not close to building a nuclear weapon. The president is claiming the war is “over,” but the ceasefire continues to change every few hours. 
    Senator Warren questioned Vice Admiral Cooper on if President Trump has communicated any plans for American troops in Iran, pressing for an answer on whether plans for troop deployment are being made and if the U.S. is preparing for a protracted war. Vice Admiral Cooper refused to provide specific answers but confirmed that the military is always prepared for various contingencies.
    President Trump and his administration initially stated that the goal was to end Iran’s nuclear program, not regime change, and declared victory while providing no evidence to support that claim. On Sunday, the president reversed course, posting, “If the current Iranian regime is unable to make Iran great again, why wouldn’t there be regime change?” 
    “Our service members who volunteer to give so much have a right to know that the President of the United States values their lives and sends them into harm’s way only when we clearly have a plan to understand how this protects the United States of America,” said Senator Warren. 
    “I’m very concerned about the president’s on-again, off-again explanations of why this bombing has taken place and that he’s doing it with no constitutional authority,” continued Senator Warren. 
    Senator Warren also criticized reports that the current Trump administration is considering dismantling all institutions that mitigate and reduce civilian harm. Vice Admiral Cooper committed to prioritizing preventing civilian harm, saying failing to do so “risks degrading our credibility and trust and puts troops at risk,” and if confirmed, “I’ll continue to take an organization that has moved, I believe, from compliance to having civilian harm risk mitigation as part of our culture.” 
    Senator Warren reaffirmed that only Congress can declare war and called on her colleagues in the Senate to vote against another endless war.
    Transcript: Hearings to examine the nominations of Vice Admiral Charles B. Cooper II, USN, to be admiral and Commander, United States Central Command, and Lieutenant General Alexus G. Grynkewich, USAF, to be general and Commander, United States European Command and Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, both of the Department of DefenseSenate Armed Services CommitteeJune 24, 2025
    Senator Elizabeth Warren: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and congratulations to both of you on your nominations. So, it seems like Donald Trump is once again playing red light, green light. This time, war with Iran. 
    Three nights ago, he bombed three sites and warned of, quote, “many targets left to strike” and threatened, quote, “tragedy,” if Iran did not immediately capitulate. Last night, he declared the war is over. But now the ceasefire seems to be changing every few hours, and no one seems to know if it will hold. Now, no one wants Iran to have a nuclear weapon, but experts in intelligence have told us time and time again, Iran’s nuclear program cannot be bombed out of existence. 
    So, the question is, what is President Trump’s plan? Another endless war in the Middle East? 
    Vice Admiral Cooper, you are currently the Deputy Commander of U.S. Central Command. You are nominated to be commander, but you’re already there. You don’t decide policy. Obviously, you carry out the president’s orders. So today, I just want to ask you, if you have any clarity from President Trump, the commander in chief who chose this war, on what comes next. 
    So, Vice Admiral Cooper, has President Trump communicated to you whether or not he could contemplate American troops fighting in Iran?
    Vice Admiral Charles B. Cooper II: Senator, as we sit here today, as has been well described, a very dynamic time, literally right now, as we’re sitting here. The military’s number one priority is the safety and security of our men and women in the Middle East. That remains our priority. As I look to the future with the prospect of confirmation, my obligation, and in fact, my duty, would be to provide the Secretary of Defense and the President a range of options to deal with policies that he would lead.
    Senator Warren: So, are you working on plans to deploy troops if the president orders it? 
    Vice Admiral Cooper: Senator, as you well know, we are working on plans every single day. I think this forum isn’t the appropriate forum to talk about specific plans on force posture or what we’re doing today. Certainly could capture that in a classified environment that, I understand, is later this afternoon.
    Senator Warren: So, I’m just trying to get whether or not there are plans. I’m not asking for what the plans are in particular, but I take it from what you’re saying the president has not ruled out American boots on the ground in Iran?
    Vice Admiral Cooper: Senator, I think from a military perspective, it’s critically important today that we provide the maximum latitude and decision space to the Secretary of Defense and the president to decide on key plans and directions, and we’ll be standing by to execute those as is our duty to do.
    Senator Warren: So, on Saturday, President Trump and his administration claimed that the goal was to end Iran’s nuclear program, not regime change, and declared complete victory with no evidence to support that. And then on Sunday, the president reversed course, posting, quote, that, “If the current Iranian regime is unable to make Iran great again, why wouldn’t there be regime change?” And yesterday, he congratulated everyone on a ceasefire and said, quote, “God bless Iran.” 
    Vice Admiral Cooper, has President Trump communicated to you how long he intends this war could go on if the ceasefire breaks? 
    Vice Admiral Cooper: Senator, our role, from a military perspective, is to remain ready for a wide range of contingencies and protect our people, and that’s exactly what we’re doing. 
    Senator Warren: So that means you’re preparing for a protracted war. Is that right?
    Vice Admiral Cooper: I think it would be inappropriate to comment on any specific action, but we’re prepared for a wide range of contingencies, which is what would be expected.
    Senator Warren: Well, I’m just asking about your preparations. I’m not asking what actions you will take. Our service members who volunteer to give so much have a right to know that the President of the United States values their lives and sends them into harm’s way only when we clearly have a plan to understand how this protects the United States of America. I’m very concerned about the president’s on-again, off-again explanations of why this bombing has taken place and that he’s doing it with no constitutional authority. Only Congress can declare war, and the Senate must vote immediately to prevent another endless war. 
    So, I want to raise one more question, and that is reports that the Trump administration now wants to dismantle reforms developed under the first Trump administration to prevent civilian harm. Killing civilians is not only wrong, it threatens national security. General Stanley McChrystal called it insurgent math, meaning that for every civilian you kill, you create 10 new enemies. 
    Vice Admiral Cooper, why is it important to U.S. national security to prevent civilian harm?
    Vice Admiral Cooper: Well, Senator, first, thank you for your advocacy and passion on this issue. I share your same passion. I think it’s a national security issue. It risks degrading our credibility and trust and puts troops at risk. And if confirmed, I’ll continue to do what I do today, which is take an organization that has moved, I believe, from compliance to having civilian harm risk mitigation as part of our culture. It’s important.
    Senator Warren: I appreciate that. Thank you.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: MEDIA ADVISORY: Welch to Mark July 2023 and July 2024 Flood Anniversaries with Tour, New Bill to Fix FEMA 

    US Senate News:

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

    On the tour, Welch will unveil the Disaster AID Act, new legislation to improve FEMA and cut red tape 
    Welch to host Listening Sessions for Vermonters in Burke, Killington, and Barre 
    MONTPELIER, VT — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) will travel across Vermont next week to discuss his new bill to fix the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). 
    Senator Welch will visit nine towns and cities—Hardwick, Lyndon, Barton, Burke, Killington, Ludlow, Weston, Barre, and Montpelier—and meet with community leaders and flood-impacted Vermonters. He will also hold Listening Sessions in Burke, Killington, and Barre. The Senator’s tour and introduction of the Disaster Assistance Improvement and Decentralization (AID) Act will mark the anniversary of catastrophic flooding across Vermont in July 2023 and July 2024. 
    Senator Welch’s new Disaster AID Act will cut red tape and empower state and local governments, make the delivery of disaster aid more efficient and effective, provide assistance to small towns and communities impacted by natural disasters, and block the White House from withholding funding for disaster recovery.  
    This tour is open to the media, and every stop will be considered on-the-record. Please plan to wear weather-appropriate clothing.  
    LOGISTICS:  
    WHAT: Senator Peter Welch’s tour of nine flood-impacted towns across Vermont and the unveiling of the Disaster Assistance Improvement and Decentralization (AID) Act.  
    TOUR SCHEDULE: 
    Tuesday, July 1: Hardwick; Lyndon, Barton, Burke 

    In the Northeast Kingdom, Senator Welch will convene community leaders to discuss the importance of supporting hazard mitigation and protecting disaster aid funding. He will also discuss the need to improve FEMA staffing issues. 

    Wednesday, July 2: Killington; Ludlow; Weston 

    In Southern Vermont, Senator Welch will discuss the need to make the application and aid delivery processes more efficient and effective.  

    Monday, July 7: Central Vermont: Barre, Montpelier 

    In Central Vermont, Senator Welch will meet with community leaders to discuss the importance of cutting through red tape and empowering state and local governments in the long-term disaster recovery process.  

    LISTENING SESSIONS: 
    Senator Welch invites flood-impacted Vermonters to join him on Tuesday, July 1 in Burke; Wednesday, July 2 in Killington; or in Barre on Monday, July 7.  

    *** Locations and timing provided upon request and subject to change. Space is limited. Media interested in attending these events are kindly asked to RSVP to Aaron_White@welch.senate.gov; 202-960-0677 *** 
    ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND:  
    Senator Welch has been outspoken in opposing any attempt by the Trump Administration to dismantle FEMA. Earlier this year, Senator Welch published a guest essay in The New York Times entitled: “Don’t Kill FEMA. Fix It.” In his piece, Senator Welch outlined why President Trump’s actions to undermine and potentially dissolve FEMA are misguided—but also committed to working with the President on good faith efforts to reform the agency’s long-term recovery process.  
    In December 2024, Senator Welch helped shape and pass a comprehensive disaster aid package, which delivered more than $100.4 billion of relief for states like Vermont recovering from climate disasters. The disaster aid package contained many of Senator Welch’s top priorities for the State: dedicated help for Vermont’s flood-impacted farmers, flexible spending through the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Relief fund, money for FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund, and support for businesses, among many other important provisions. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ernst Puts $400 Million in Federal Fixer Uppers on Auction Block

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)
    WASHINGTON – After exposing that thousands of federal buildings are vacant or underutilized, U.S. Senate DOGE Caucus Chair Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) has a commonsense proposal to downsize Washington’s bloated real estate portfolio and save taxpayers billions of dollars.
    Ernst is introducing her Federal Office Realignment and Sale of Assets for Leveraging Efficiency (FOR SALE) Act to put six pieces of prime properties in the nation’s capital on the auction block to generate $400 million or more in revenue, while also canceling costs, including $2.9 billion for overdue maintenance.
    “Despite being the nation’s largest landlord, the federal government will never win a round of Monopoly,” said Ernst. “That’s because Uncle Sam, who is already $37 trillion in debt, refuses to sell off unused and unneeded properties that are nothing but money pits. I am putting these federal fixer uppers FOR SALE and ending the backwards game of Washington-opoly where taxpayers always lose!”
    Click here to download audio and video of Senator Ernst talking about her FOR SALE Act.
    The six buildings being put on the auction block are the Department of Agriculture South Building, Hubert H. Humphrey Federal Building, Frances Perkins Federal Building, James V. Forrestal Building, Theodore Roosevelt Federal Building, and Robert C. Weaver Federal Building.
    Click here to view the bill text.
    Background:
    Ernst first exposed how federal office buildings were virtual ghost towns in December 2023 with her naughty list that showed the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Social Security Administration used just 7% of their office space.
    Every year, Washington pays out over $81 million maintaining underutilized offices. This includes nearly 7,700 vacant buildings and another 2,265 that are largely empty.
    A General Services Administration report in May 2025 said that deferred maintenance exceeds $6 billion and will grow to $20 billion in five years.
    Ernst and the DOGE Caucus racked up a win earlier this year with the announcement of the sale of the Wilbur J. Cohen building, a 1.2 million square foot monument to waste, where just 72 of 3,341 workers were showing up to work.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: June 25th, 2025 Heinrich, Luján, Leger Fernández Urge Trump Administration to Reverse Course & Fully Implement Broadband

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

    WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Media, and U.S. Representative Terese Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) joined over 40 of their colleagues to send a letter calling on U.S.  Department of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to fully implement the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program as Congress intended to connect all Americans to high-quality, affordable internet. 

    The lawmakers’ letter to Secretary Lutnick comes as the Department of Commerce announced substantial changes to the implementation of the BEAD program. 

    “We write to express our opposition to the Department of Commerce’s recently announced BEAD Restructuring Policy Notice,” the lawmakers wrote. “The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program was established by Congress in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to provide high-quality, affordable, and sustainable broadband to connect the nearly 25 million Americans that continue to wait for high-speed internet access. We urge you to ensure that states receive the full funding and flexibility they retained prior to the issuance of the restructuring notice to fully meet these statutory objectives.” 

    “The broadband division of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law begins with this congressional finding: ‘Access to affordable, reliable, high-speed broadband is essential to full participation in modern life in the United States,’” the lawmakers continued. “This fundamental reality is why the BEAD program was established to fulfill the subsequent finding that ‘the benefits of broadband should be broadly enjoyed by all.’”

    The letter is led by U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and U.S. Representative Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.). Alongside Heinrich, Luján, and Leger Fernández, the letter is signed by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Angus King (I-Maine), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), and U.S. Representatives Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), Bishop (D-Ga.), Bynum (D-Ore.), Carson (D-Ind.), Carter (D-La.), Cleaver (D-Mo.),  Davis (D-Ill.), DelBene (D-Wash.), Evans (D-Pa.),  Fields (D-La.), Figures (D-Ala.), Garcia (D-Texas), Goodlander (D-N.H.), Hoyle (D-Ore.), Huffman (D-Calif), Lofgren (D-Calif.), McGovern (D-Mass.), Menendez (D-N.J.), Mrvan (D-Ind.), Neguse (D-Colo.), Pappas (D-N.H.), Scholten (D-Mich), Sewell (D-Ala.), Soto (D-Fla.), Thompson (D-Miss.), Titus (D-Nev.), Tlaib (D-Mich.), Tokuda (D-Hawaii), Williams (D-Ga.), and Wilson (D-Fla.).  

    The full text of the letter is available here and below:

    Dear Secretary Lutnick: 

    We write to express our opposition to the Department of Commerce’s recently announced BEAD Restructuring Policy Notice. The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program was established by Congress in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to provide high-quality, affordable, and sustainable broadband to connect the nearly 25 million Americans that continue to wait for high-speed internet access. We urge you to ensure that states receive the full funding and flexibility they retained prior to the issuance of the restructuring notice to fully meet these statutory objectives. 

    The broadband division of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law begins with this congressional finding: “Access to affordable, reliable, high-speed broadband is essential to full participation in modern life in the United States.” This fundamental reality is why the BEAD program was established to fulfill the subsequent finding that “the benefits of broadband should be broadly enjoyed by all.” To achieve this goal, the statute states that funding recipients must “ensure coverage of broadband service to all unserved locations” before using any funds for other purposes. The restructuring notice appears to violate this requirement by allowing applicants to exclude certain unserved locations. Such an allowance would defy bipartisan congressional intent, which was predicated on the understanding that public investment was needed to achieve universal service precisely because building the infrastructure to cover many rural areas was too costly to be profitable. 

    In addition to excluding unserved, predominantly rural locations, the restructuring notice would likely result in others receiving worse service. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law requires that “priority broadband projects” funded by the program be “designed to provide broadband service that meets speed, latency, reliability, consistency in quality of service, and related criteria as the Assistant Secretary shall determine; and [to] ensure that the network[s] built by the project[s] can easily scale speeds over time to meet the evolving connectivity needs of households and businesses, and support the deployment of 5G, successor wireless technologies, and other advanced services.” Of currently available technologies, fiber-optic networks are faster and more reliable and can scale speeds much more easily. We made the decision to invest larger sums now in broadband infrastructure that would be resilient and capable of meeting Americans’ growing digital demands for decades. 

    The restructuring notice also undermines the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s provisions designed to ensure that broadband service is affordable and put to good use. The new rules remove specific requirements that ensured that participating providers would provide a low-cost internet option for low-income customers as required by the statute. Additionally, while the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law specifically allows funds to be spent on “broadband adoption, including programs to provide affordable internet-capable devices,” the notice rescinds approval of previously approved “non-deployment activities” and puts all funding for these activities on hold. For example, this provision of the notice puts on hold a South Carolina plan to use BEAD program funds for virtual primary health—equipping low-income households in rural health deserts with access to the full suite of virtual health services at no cost to the patients. If the broadband infrastructure being built by BEAD program funds isn’t put to good use, much of the investment will have been wasted. 

    As reflected in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s congressional findings, high-quality internet access is a requirement to fully participate in the world, and the BEAD program is our once-in-a century opportunity to finish closing the digital divide. We fear this opportunity would be squandered by the restructuring notice and its changes to coverage, quality, and affordability. We therefore urge you to implement the BEAD program in accordance with the best reading of the statute so we can make high-quality internet accessible and affordable for all Americans.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senators Markey and Cassidy Celebrate Committee Passage of Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Legislation

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
    Washington (June 25, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, and Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.) today celebrated the unanimous passage of their Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0) through the Commerce Committee. The legislation would update online data privacy rules for the 21st century and ensure children and teenagers are protected online.
    “We are proud of the momentum and broad support that our commonsense Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act is gaining from industry, advocates, and our own Senate colleagues,” said Senators Markey and Cassidy. “Today’s unanimous vote is further evidence of the broad, bipartisan commitment to protecting children and teens online. As our young people continue to face a devastating youth mental health crisis, Congress must pass COPPA 2.0 and implement these overdue safeguards for children and teens.”
    Specifically, the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act would:
    Ban targeted advertising to children and teens;
    Create an “Eraser Button” by requiring companies to permit users to delete personal information collected from a child or teen;
    Establish data minimization rules to prohibit the excessive collection of children and teens’ data;
    Revise COPPA’s “actual knowledge” standard to close the loophole that allows platforms to ignore kids and teens on their site; and
    Build on COPPA by prohibiting internet companies from collecting personal information from users who are 13 to 16 years old without their consent.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NPR and PBS Are More Than Just “Tiny Desk” and “Daniel Tiger” — They Are Critical to Public Safety

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
    06.25.25
    NPR and PBS Are More Than Just “Tiny Desk” and “Daniel Tiger” — They Are Critical to Public Safety
    14 stations in WA at risk of losing funding if Senate passes administration’s rescissions package
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, released a Snapshot Report that highlights data on public broadcasters across the United States and broadcasters’ role in responding to emergencies and public safety events. In rural areas, public broadcasters may be the sole source of information during emergencies, leaving them disproportionately impacted by federal funding cuts to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB).
    “Public television and radio aren’t just for quality children’s television and unique radio content,” said Sen. Cantwell. “For millions of Americans, these stations are often their only source of emergency information during weather disasters. Earlier this month, House Republicans approved President Trump’s rescission request clawing back $1.1 billion in Congressionally-approved funding for public broadcasting. This report shows that if Senate Republicans allow this devastating cut to pass the Senate, nearly 13 million Americans could be left without access to their public media stations and the life-saving emergency alerts or information they need. As people prepare for potential hurricanes, wildfires, and other extreme weather events, we should not be gutting our support for public media.”
    The report included several key findings:
    The operations of 79 public radio and 33 TV stations across 34 states and territories are considered vulnerable to federal funding cuts.
    Nearly 13 million Americans live in communities under threat of losing their local public broadcast stations. What’s worse, these stations serve large swaths of the Western, Midwestern, and Southeastern United States at risk of wildfires, tornadoes, hurricanes, and other public safety emergencies. This double threat casts uncertainty on the ability of these stations to disseminate emergency alerts and information to residents when they need it most.
    More than 70 percent of federal funding goes directly to local public broadcasters for content, interconnection, and support services. It would cost local public broadcasters more than double the CPB’s current contribution to replace these critical services through alternative public or private means.
    Support through the CPB is critical for many local stations, with the most vulnerable in rural and remote communities. Public radio and television stations serve as the primary—often sole—source of local news, educational content, and emergency alerts. These stations rely heavily on federal funding, with some depending on it for over 70 percent of their budgets. Some rural areas depend on their local public media station as their only source of information in emergencies. 
    KDNA-AM, which has a studio in Granger, WA, and serves the surrounding area, is reliant on federal CPB grants for a significant portion of its operating budget. KDNA serves an area that is at a high risk of wildfires, including the city of Yakima, with a population of over 90,000. KDNA plays a critical role in responding to emergencies by providing local news and information. Without continued federal funding, KDNA and other public broadcasters will have to find alternative funding sources or risk being unable to provide their essential public safety services.
    In severe storm and wildfire situations that knock out a community’s power supply, TVs broadcasting news on the path of an incoming tornado may go dark due to power outages, and cell phones may lose service, leaving families with only local public radio broadcasts delivered to battery-powered, hand-crank, or car radios. Without local broadcasting, families in rural areas may not receive critical alerts in time to get to safety.
    On June 3, President Trump submitted a rescission request to Congress for the CPB’s FY 2026 and 2027 funding, seeking to claw back nearly $1.1 billion in Congressionally-approved funding. On June 12, the House approved the President’s rescission request, and it is now before the Senate. If passed by the Senate, these cuts may leave millions of Americans without access to lifesaving alerts and emergency information.
    In Washington state, funding for 14 public broadcasting stations is at risk under the House-passed rescissions package now being considered by the Senate. 
    In May, Sen. Cantwell joined Rick Steves to blast the Trump Administration for its assault on the CPB. 
    See the impacted areas below and to access the full report, please click HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Capito Opening Statement at Hearing to Consider Turner, Wright Nominations

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
    [embedded content]
    To watch Chairman Capito’s opening statement, click here or the image above.
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, led a hearing on the nominations of Usha-Maria Turner to be Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the Office of International and Tribal Affairs and David A. Wright to be a member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).
    Below is the opening statement of Chairman Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) as delivered.
    “Today we will receive testimony from David Wright, who is nominated to serve another five-year term as a member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Usha-Maria Turner, the nominee to serve as the Environmental Protection Agency’s Assistant Administrator for the Office of International and Tribal Affairs.
    “Our consideration of Chairman Wright’s renomination comes at a crucial time. China is executing a rapid buildout of its nuclear industry and is projected to overtake the United States as the global leader of nuclear electricity generation.
    “The demand for clean, baseload power is skyrocketing as we position America to win the AI race, and global events continue to highlight the grave importance of energy security.
    “The importance of those policy concerns has led to the broad bipartisan agreement that we need more nuclear, and that we need to accomplish that goal safely and quickly. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is integral to achieving that goal.
    “A half century ago, Congress separated the dual and conflicting responsibilities to both promote and regulate the use of nuclear energy from the Atomic Energy Commission. In doing so, Congress established the Department of Energy’s predecessor agency and created the NRC to regulate the civilian use of nuclear technology.
    “The principle of separate organizations that promote and regulate nuclear power is as important today as it was fifty years ago, and Congress has continued to reinforce the value of an efficient and competent nuclear regulator. That’s why, last Congress I, alongside Senator Whitehouse and a strong bipartisan coalition, led the effort to get the Accelerating Deployment of Versatile Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy, or better known as the ADVANCE Act, signed into law.
    “As the designated head of the NRC, the Chairman is instrumental in leading the agency’s ambitious implementation of the law. The Chairman is responsible for selecting key senior agency leadership with the approval of the Commission.
    “Through the Executive Director of Operations, the Chairman oversees the NRC’s day to day operations and can direct its staff to undertake important initiatives. The Chairman also participates in international forums, to represent the NRC’s premier role as the global leader in nuclear energy regulation. Now, the NRC has been thrust further into the center of the national energy conversation.
    “Recently, President Trump signed a series of Executive Orders intended to expedite the rapid deployment of more nuclear power. Those Executive Orders are aligned with the ADVANCE Act, but must be carefully implemented to create durable, predictable policies for nuclear licensing. A rapid and disruptive change to the nuclear regulatory framework would be counterproductive and potentially impact financial investment.
    “The Chairman and the Commission must prioritize NRC’s actions, being mindful of the need for regulatory stability, as expeditiously and efficiently as possible while keeping nuclear safety central to the agency’s mission.
    “That’s why experienced leadership at the Commission is crucial to achieve these objectives. Chairman Wright has served as a member of the Commission since 2018, and President Trump designated him Chairman in January.
    “His experiences provide the necessary background and understanding to navigate the extremely important and challenging task of simultaneously implementing the ADVANCE Act, and the Executive Orders, while ensuring fundamental licensing activities are not overlooked. I look forward to understanding how Chairman Wright will navigate these important priorities.
    “Today, we will also hear from Usha-Maria Turner, President Trump’s nominee to serve as the EPA Assistant Administrator for the Office of International and Tribal Affairs. If confirmed, Mrs. Turner will lead EPA’s efforts to maintain our international environmental agreements and partnerships in coordination with the Department of State.
    “Mrs. Turner will also oversee EPA’s engagements with Tribal governments in implementing our nation’s environmental laws and helping our Tribal governments administer their own environmental programs. Effectively supporting the President’s foreign policy efforts and coordinating with Tribal governments are vital issues that will help the EPA’s mission to protect human health and the environment.
    “I look forward to discussing the various aspects of this role with Mrs. Turner.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: VIDEO: Capito Questions Attorney General Bondi at DOJ Budget Request Hearing

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
    [embedded content]
    Click here or on the image above to watch Senator Capito’s questions. 
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, questioned Attorney General Pam Bondi at a hearing to review the president’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget request for the U.S. Department of Justice. 
    HIGHLIGHTS:
    ON THE ATF’S NATIONAL TRACING CENTER IN MARTINSBURG:
    SENATOR CAPITO: “I wanted to point out the ATF’s National Tracing Center, which is in West Virginia, is the only one of its kind to trace U.S. and foreign manufactured firearms. The facility provides critical information that helps solve crimes, detect trafficking, and track the movement of crime-related firearms. In 2024, that National Tracing Center processed more than 600,000 requests. I just want to make certain that in the budget there is enough…to meet the demands, and that these critical services can be sustained with the budget request you’ve made.” 
    ATTORNEY GENERAL BONDI: “Senator, our budget continues to fully fund the National Tracing Center. I will personally make sure that that is funded. It will continue to be operated by ATF, as well, and it does such important work… They do amazing work. I’ve seen the work they do firsthand. And I would also—in all my spare time—I would also love to visit that center. I really want to visit that center and see what we can do also to enhance it and work with you on that. It’s so important. You know, these are issues that cross party lines. This is what every American in our country we should be working together on… You have been a true advocate for it for your state.” 
    ON THE HAZELTON PRISON: 
    SENATOR CAPITO: “Hazelton…is a very large prison with over 3,000 inmates. They’ve had some issues out there, big issues out there. Allegations, with staff shortages, gross mismanagement, abuse, coverups, falsifying documents. I’m sure you’re tracking these issues. I do want to compliment the president on his appointment of William Marshall, a West Virginian, former state trooper…he’s going to do a fantastic job. So, thank you for bringing in such a strong advocate, he’s already been very responsive to us on Hazelton, which has had chronic issues throughout the last several years, regardless of what administration it’s been. I wanted to put that on your radar.” 
    ON THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT: 
    SENATOR CAPTIO: “I will say, I’ve been a big supporter of the Violence Against Women Act. I am proud of the work that we’ve championed here on the Appropriations Committee for this. It’s really sad when you think of what happens in families sometimes and the proliferation of violence is extremely concerning to me. I’ve worked in this area for a long time, so I just wanted to let you know my passion in this area.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hawley, Hassan, Kelly Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Rural Hospital Cybersecurity

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo)

    Wednesday, June 25, 2025

    Today, U.S. Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) reintroduced the Rural Hospital Cybersecurity Enhancement Act, which directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop a comprehensive strategy to address the growing need for skilled cybersecurity professionals in rural hospitals. The strategy aims to improve cybersecurity preparedness and create a robust workforce to protect vulnerable critical infrastructure—rural hospitals—from cyber threats. This legislation unanimously passed out of a Senate committee last Congress.
    “Nearly half of the hospitals in my state are rural. I grew up in a town of 4,000 people—I have lived this firsthand,” said Senator Hawley. “Congress must take action to shore up the ability of small-town hospitals to protect working Americans’ health records from debilitating cyberattacks.”
    “Cyberattacks on hospitals can put at risk people’s medical information, and also sometimes shut the hospital down as it recovers, putting lifesaving care at risk,” said Senator Hassan. “This bipartisan legislation is an important step toward ensuring that rural hospitals have the resources, tools, and training that they need to keep patients safe and protect hospitals from attacks from cybercriminals.”
    “Rural hospitals are on the frontlines of care for so many Arizonans, but too often they’re underfunded and overexposed to cyber threats that can jeopardize patient safety. We saw this firsthand in Yuma, where a ransomware attack disrupted operations and put hundreds of thousands of patients at risk,” said Senator Kelly. “We are giving rural hospitals the tools and workforce they need to strengthen their security and keep delivering care, especially as they navigate new digital reporting requirements.”
    Unlike larger urban hospitals, rural hospitals often have little to no full-time cybersecurity personnel and are particularly exposed to cyberattacks. Vulnerabilities in rural hospitals’ cybersecurity defenses can also be used as entry points to disrupt larger healthcare systems, potentially compromising the sensitive medical and personal data of hundreds of thousands of American patients at once. The Rural Hospital Cybersecurity Enhancement Act would require HHS to:
    Develop a comprehensive rural hospital cybersecurity workforce development strategy that, at a minimum, considers public-private partnerships, development of curricula and training resources, and policy recommendations.
    Make available instructional materials for rural hospitals to train staff on fundamental cybersecurity measures.
    Report annually to congressional committees with updates regarding the strategy and any programs that have been implemented pursuant to the strategy.
    Read the bill text here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hawley Demands Energy Department Terminate Government Funding Grain Belt Express

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo)
    Today, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) sent a follow-up letter to Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Chris Wright demanding he terminate the more than $4 billion in federal funding for the Grain Belt Express, an elitist land grab harming Missouri farmers and ranchers. 
    In the letter, Senator Hawley wrote, “I write to you once again to urge the termination of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) $4.9 billion conditional loan to the green-energy Grain Belt Express (GBE) transmission line. Your department recently terminated 24 awards issued by the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED), citing ‘that these projects failed to advance the energy needs of the American people, were not economically viable and would not generate a positive return on investment of taxpayer dollars.’ Yet the GBE conditional loan has not been cancelled.”
    He continued, “I have repeatedly raised concerns to DOE about the viability of this transmission line. Most recently, on March 25, 2025, I wrote to you after officials from the Department of Energy confirmed that your department is moving forward with the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process, a key step in approving the loan. I have yet to receive a substantive response to that letter.”
    Senator Hawley concluded, “During a recent House hearing, you stated, ‘It is deeply concerning how billions of dollars were rushed out the door without proper due diligence in the final days of the Biden administration.’ I completely agree. The Biden administration’s Department of Energy approved the loan to the Grain Belt Express at the eleventh hour… Your department should be taking every possible action to stop this loan – not only to save taxpayer’s money, but also to save generational land from being ripped away from families and hard-working farmers and ranchers in Missouri. Now is the time to act. I urge you to immediately terminate all agency actions related to the Department of Energy’s $4.9 billion loan to the Grain Belt Express.” 
    Read the full letter here or below. 
    June 25, 2025
    The Honorable Chris WrightSecretary of EnergyU.S. Department of Energy1000 Independence Ave SEWashington, DC 20560
    Dear Secretary Wright,
    I write to you once again to urge the termination of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) $4.9 billion conditional loan to the green-energy Grain Belt Express (GBE) transmission line. Your department recently terminated 24 awards issued by the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED), citing “that these projects failed to advance the energy needs of the American people, were not economically viable and would not generate a positive return on investment of taxpayer dollars.” Yet the GBE conditional loan has not been cancelled.
    I have repeatedly raised concerns to DOE about the viability of this transmission line. Most recently, on March 25, 2025, I wrote to you after officials from the Department of Energy confirmed that your department is moving forward with the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process, a key step in approving the loan. I have yet to receive a substantive response to that letter.
    During a recent House hearing, you stated, “It is deeply concerning how billions of dollars were rushed out the door without proper due diligence in the final days of the Biden administration.” I completely agree. The Biden administration’s Department of Energy approved the loan to the Grain Belt Express at the eleventh hour.
    While I applaud DOE’s current efforts to roll back last-minute Biden era green energy projects that were not vetted nor were reliable energy projects, I’ve become increasingly concerned that DOE apparently has not taken action to halt all federal funding to the Grain Belt Express. Your department should be taking every possible action to stop this loan – not only to save taxpayer’s money, but also to save generational land from being ripped away from families and hard-working farmers and ranchers in Missouri.
    Now is the time to act. I urge you to immediately terminate all agency actions related to the Department of Energy’s $4.9 billion loan to the Grain Belt Express. Additionally, please answer the following questions by no later than June 30, 2025:
    1. Why has your department not yet cancelled the Grain Belt Express $4.9 billion conditional loan?
    2. Does your department plan to terminate all agency actions related to advancing the loan to the Grain Belt Express?
    3. If not, can you provide clear and concise reasons as to why you and your department continue to advance this project over the objections of Missouri farmers and ranchers?
    Sincerely,
    Josh HawleyUnited States Senator

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rosen, Colleagues Demand Trump Administration to Reverse Decision to End Policy on Emergency Reproductive Care

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
    The Trump Administration’s Decision To End Guidance That Reaffirmed Access To Abortion Care In Emergency Situations Will Put Women’s Lives In Jeopardy
    WASHINGTON, DC – Following the three-year anniversary of the Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) joined a group of Senators in a letter demanding the Trump Administration to overturn its recent decision to end guidance that reaffirmed hospitals’ responsibility to provide medically-necessary emergency abortions. In 1986, Congress enacted the Emergency Medical Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) to require Medicare-participating hospitals to provide necessary life-saving treatment for any individual—including pregnant women—experiencing emergency medical conditions. However, since the conservative majority on the Supreme Court handed down the Dobbs decision, more than twenty states have passed laws to ban or severely restrict access to abortion, disrupting decades of certainty for hospitals regarding their legal obligation to provide necessary emergency abortion care under federal law.
    “While EMTALA remains binding federal law, the rescission will create further confusion for hospitals and providers, especially in states with abortion bans, and will result in medically-necessary care being withheld from pregnant patients in crisis,” wrote the lawmakers. “When doctors are forced to navigate the complex legal interplay of state abortion bans and federal EMTALA protections, pregnant people experience care delays and may receive substandard care.”
    “This abrupt decision will further the chaos and confusion that hospitals, physicians, and patients have experienced since the Dobbs decision and will result in negative and deadly consequences for women and families across the United States,” the lawmakers concluded.
    The full letter can be found HERE.
    Senator Rosen has been a fighter for women’s reproductive rights, taking action to safeguard access to essential health care for women. This week, she helped introduce the Women’s Health Protection Act to enshrine Roe protections in federal law and restore women’s reproductive freedom. Earlier this year, Senator Rosen joined Senate colleagues in introducing the Right to Contraception Act, aimed at federally guaranteeing the right to obtain and use contraceptives and shielding providers who prescribe and offer them. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hagerty Calls on DOJ, FTC to Investigate ISS and Glass Lewis

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Tennessee Bill Hagerty
    WASHINGTON—This week, United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Banking Committee and head of the committee’s working group on proxy advisors, sent a letter to Attorney General Pamela Bondi and Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson, urging them to investigate ISS and Glass Lewis for antitrust violations.
    “The dominant proxy advisory firms, [ISS] and [Glass Lewis], control more than 90% of the U.S. market for proxy advisory services,” Hagerty wrote. “These foreign-owned firms exploit their market power to suppress competition, hijack corporate governance, impose ideological agendas, drive companies’ capital allocation decisions, influence U.S. public policy on important matters, and undermine the welfare of American investors and consumers. Accordingly, I urge the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission to investigate these firms for violations of federal antitrust law.”
    Hagerty’s letter builds on his ongoing efforts to address abuses in the proxy advisory market. Previously, Hagerty demanded answers and documents from ISS after the firm publicly acknowledged that it may support proposals even though they are “not linked to long-term shareholder value.” He also sponsored the Putting Investors First Act, legislation to expand the SEC’s authority over proxy advisory firms.
    A copy of the letter can be found here and below.
    Dear Attorney General Bondi and Chairman Ferguson,
    The dominant proxy advisory firms, Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (ISS) and Glass, Lewis & Co. (Glass Lewis), control more than 90% of the U.S. market for proxy advisory services. These foreign-owned firms exploit their market power to suppress competition, hijack corporate governance, impose ideological agendas, drive companies’ capital allocation decisions, influence U.S. public policy on important matters, and undermine the welfare of American investors and consumers. Accordingly, I urge the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission to investigate these firms for violations of federal antitrust law.
    The market power of ISS and Glass Lewis grants them enormous sway over public companies. A study of 175 institutional investors—managing more than $5 trillion in assets— revealed that the institutions followed proxy advisor recommendations more than 95% of the time. The influence of the proxy advisors enables them to dictate public companies’ governance standards, executive compensation practices, and corporate policies. Through the power of vote recommendations adverse to determinations of independent boards of directors as well as negative recommendations against board members themselves, the firms effectively force compliance even when these standards or practices are ideologically motivated, irrelevant, and/or destructive to shareholder value. In so doing, the proxy advisors have also been successfully pressuring companies to engineer social change outside the democratic process and shaping U.S. public policy on a wide range of issues, from energy to sensitive social policies. It is evident that ISS and Glass Lewis exercise de facto regulatory power over public companies, but without any of the accountability or transparency ordinarily demanded of such a role.
    The firms leverage their market power by offering consulting services on the same or substantially similar items as those on which they provide proxy advisory services—a conflict of interest that raises significant anticompetitive concerns. ISS, for example, offers proxy advisory services to institutional investors with respect to companies’ say-on-pay proposals while also selling corporate consulting services to companies regarding the executive compensation programs subject to a say-on-pay vote. Similarly, ISS offers consulting services to companies with respect to equity compensation plans, while also providing recommendations to institutional investors as to how to vote on those same plans. This dynamic results in a coercive pay-to-play setup, where public companies are pressured to purchase consulting services to avoid or remedy negative proxy recommendations or assure the support of the proxy advisors, as the case may be. Indeed, many companies report being approached by the consulting arm of ISS during the same year in which they receive a negative vote recommendation from the firm. ISS also provides its institutional clients with corporate governance ratings on issuers, while also offering consulting services to corporate clients so that those issuers can improve their governance scores. This dual role—both rating companies and advising them—further enhances the proxy advisors’ power and drives important corporate practices and policies. While Glass Lewis has claimed that it does not offer consulting services, like ISS it offers equity plan advisory services to public companies. It also advises activists on influencing companies through shareholder proposals and other campaigns. The firm engages in these practices even though it has openly acknowledged that “the provision of consulting services to corporate issuers, directors, dissident shareholders and/or shareholder proposal proponents, creates a problematic conflict of interest.”
    The link between consulting services and favorable ratings benefit both ISS and Glass Lewis by foreclosing competition. Revenues generated from consulting may permit the firms to cross-subsidize their proxy advisory services, enabling them to further expand and cement their market share. Such self-dealing practices are inherently anticompetitive and demand scrutiny.
    ISS and Glass Lewis also appear to coordinate their voting guidelines and governance standards in ways that suppress competition and reduce the ideological and analytical diversity of services available in the market. The House Judiciary Committee has found evidence that the firms collaborated with organizations such as Climate Action 100+ to jointly issue nearly identical recommendations—effectively steering institutional investors toward predetermined outcomes guided by partisan ideology, not shareholder value. This parallelism is reinforced by the firms’ control of proprietary voting platforms—ISS’s ProxyExchange and Glass Lewis’s Viewpoint—which encourage institutional clients to automatically vote in alignment with the firms’ recommendations. Known as “robovoting,” this practice discourages independent fiduciary analysis and only deepens investors’ dependence on the firms, as some major investment managers do not even have personnel responsible for verifying that robovotes are correctly cast. While the firms often point critics to their “benchmark” reports, they continue to offer comparatively more extreme and politically contentious robovoting options through their insufficiently scrutinized “specialty” reports, often referred to as their “shadow” reports.
    The market power and anticompetitive business practices of ISS and Glass Lewis inflict harm across the U.S. economy: potential competitors are foreclosed from entering or expanding within the proxy advisory market; capital formation is diminished as companies are deterred from going public; the cost of capital for certain industries, such as coal and oil and gas, is higher; the competitiveness of the US capital markets is impacted; boards and management lose control over their own corporate policies and practices; investors suffer the financial consequences of ideologically driven and economically unsound corporate decisions; finally, consumers pay higher prices due to operational inefficiencies and increased costs.
    For these reasons, I urge the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission to investigate ISS and Glass Lewis and take all necessary steps to promote competition in the proxy advisory market.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Booker Statement Following Arraignment of Rep. LaMonica McIver

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker
    Newark, N.J. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement:
    “I am disappointed that the Department of Justice is wasting resources pursuing these unfounded charges against Representative LaMonica McIver, needlessly straining our already overburdened federal judiciary. Representative McIver was exercising her authority as a member of Congress to conduct constitutional oversight of a detention center that receives millions of taxpayer dollars. Representative McIver’s actions were so unremarkable and inoffensive that federal officials invited her into the facility later that same afternoon. This case undermines public safety and the public trust in federal law enforcement, and while its purpose is to intimidate public officials, it won’t. The Department of Justice must drop this case immediately.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SASC Chairman Roger Wicker Releases Updated Text of Defense Reconciliation Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Mississippi Roger Wicker
    WASHINGTON –?U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today unveiled updated legislative text of the defense reconciliation bill.
    The House and Senate Armed Services Committees developed this legislation in close coordination with the White House and Department of Defense to modernize America’s military, secure the border, and strengthen national security.
    Chairman Wicker released the following statement after the release of the updated bill text:
    “This bill is a crucial down payment to modernize our military and enhance defense capabilities amid rising global threats. It provides significant funding for key areas including Golden Dome, unmanned technology, and shipbuilding,” said Chairman Wicker. “Alongside important reforms in the NDAA process, this bill will help transform the Pentagon and strengthen our military.”
    Changes Made Since 6/3 Text Release:
    Increases the amount of funding available for critical minerals supply chains to $5 billion
    Increases the amount of funding available for defense industrial base efforts to $3.3 billion
    Decreases the amount of funding available for the National Defense Stockpile to $2 billion
    Decreases the amount of funding available for military border support operations to $1 billion
    Removes all references to classified material
    Makes a handful of non-substantive changes for execution purposes
    The full text is available here
     
    A redline from the last publicly released text is here
     
    A legislative overview is available here
     
    Legislation Highlights
    Sec. 20001: $9 billion for Servicemember Quality of Life. Funds increases in allowances and special pays, as well as improvements to housing, healthcare, childcare, and education.
    Sec. 20002: $29 billion for Shipbuilding and the Maritime Industrial Base. Expands the size and enhances the capability of our naval fleet. Invests in autonomous surface and subsurface technology.  Builds capacity and improves infrastructure in the maritime industrial base.
    Sec. 20003: $25 billion for Golden Dome for America. Supports President Trump’s vision for layered missile defense shield for America. Develops space-based assets support the system and rapidly accelerates missile defense against threats to the homeland and deployed troops.  
    Sec. 20004: $25 billion for Munitions. Accelerates purchases of most important munitions. America’s arsenal of munitions. Expands capacity in the industrial base to support higher levels of munitions production. Ramps up production of and critical minerals to execute President Trump’s EO. Expands production of missile defense interceptors and counter drone capabilities. 
    Sec. 20005: $16 billion to Expedite Innovation to the Warfighter. Expands DoD initiatives to scale production of game-changing new technology and expedite delivery of low-cost, attritable weapons systems and artificial intelligence needed to ensure success on future battlefields.
    Sec. 20006: $400 million for Fiscal Responsibility and a Clean Audit. Requires audits of funds provided to DoD by this Act. Invests in the IT infrastructure, business systems, and new AI/automation capabilities needed to ensure the DoD fully passes an audit.
    Sec. 20007: $9 billion for Air Superiority. Reverses declines in fighter force posture. Accelerates delivery of next generation aircraft and autonomous systems.
    Sec. 20008: $15 billion for Nuclear Deterrence. Accelerates modernization of the triad. Improves readiness of our current nuclear deterrent. Invests in infrastructure needed to restore America’s ability to manufacture nuclear weapons.
    Sec. 20009: $12 billion for Pacific Deterrence. Expands military exercises and improves readiness of Indo-Pacific forces. Acquires capability and builds infrastructure needed to defend forces and conduct military operations in the Western Pacific.
    Sec. 20010: $16 billion to Enhance Military Readiness. Expands stocks of spares. Improves infrastructure at military depots and shipyards. Enhances the capability of Special Forces.
    Sec. 20011: $1 billion for Border Security.  Funds DoD personnel and logistics support to help carry out President Trump’s border, immigration, and counterdrug enforcement agenda.
    Sec. 20012: $10M for DOD IG to conduct specific oversight on appropriations in this title.
    Sec. 20013: Authorization of military construction projects in this title.
    Sec. 20014: Reductions in appropriation contingent upon spend plan.
     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Peters Joins Colleagues in Introducing Legislation to Restore and Protect Americans’ Right to Abortion Nationwide As We Mark 3rd Anniversary of Supreme Court Overturning Roe V. Wade

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) joined his colleagues in introducing the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2025, legislation to guarantee access to abortion across the country and restore the right to reproductive health care for millions of Americans. The bill was introduced on the third anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court repealing Roe v. Wade, a decision that stripped Americans’ access to vital health care and denied many women the freedom to make their own, private health care decisions. 
    “Three years ago, the conservative majority of the Supreme Court took away the constitutional right to abortion, stripping access to reproductive health care from millions of Americans and putting countless women’s lives in danger,” said Senator Peters. “It’s unacceptable that women today have fewer rights than their mothers and grandmothers did. The Women’s Health Protection Act would restore the fundamental right to choose, and ensure that women in every state can make private, personal health care decisions, without interference from politicians and judges.” 
    As a result of the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, millions of Americans are being denied or delayed access to necessary and potentially life-saving treatment, including for ectopic pregnancies and miscarriage management, because of new legal risks to patients and providers. The harms caused by these abortion restrictions fall heaviest on populations that already experience inequities, including people with low incomes, people of color, immigrants, young people, people with disabilities, and those living in rural and other medically underserved areas. Since the Dobbs decision, 19 [SB1] [FB2] states have banned abortion or severely restricted women from being able to access the procedure, leaving one in three[SB3] [FB4]  American women without access to safe, legal abortion care. [FB5] 
    While Michiganders voted in November 2022 to enshrine the right to an abortion in the state’s constitution, the Women’s Health Protection Act would establish federal rights for patients and providers to protect access to an abortion and create protections against medically unnecessary restrictions that undermine Americans’ access to health care.
    Specifically, the Women’s Health Protection Act would:
    Prohibit states from imposing restrictions that jeopardize access to abortion earlier in pregnancy, including many of the state-level restrictions in place prior to Dobbs, such as arbitrary waiting periods, medically unnecessary mandatory ultrasounds, or requirements to provide medically inaccurate information.
    Ensure that later in pregnancy, states cannot limit access to abortion if it would jeopardize the life or health of the mother.
    Protect the ability to travel out of state for an abortion, which has become increasingly common in recent years.
    Peters has been a strong advocate for protecting access to essential reproductive health care and the right of all Americans to make health care decisions privately with their doctors and family. Last year, Peters spoke on the Senate floor to urge his colleagues to support the Access to Family Building Act, legislation Peters cosponsored that would protect IVF treatment. Peters also spoke on the Senate floor in support of the Right to Contraception Act, legislation Peters cosponsored that would guarantee the right to access contraceptives. Peters also joined his colleagues last Congress in introducing the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2023. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Commerce Committee Passes Peters’ Bipartisan Bill to Improve Commercial Space Policy, Strengthen Industry Competitiveness

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters
    Published: 06.25.2025
    Bill Now Advances to Full Senate

    WASHINGTON, DC – The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee passed U.S. Senator Gary Peters’(MI) bipartisan bill to strengthen commercial space policy and promote industry competitiveness. Peters’ bipartisan legislation – which he reintroduced with U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) – would establish a Commercial Space Activity Advisory Committee within the Office of Space Commerce. The bill would enable the advisory committee, made up of representatives with extensive experience in the commercial space industry from a variety of fields including space policy, engineering, and research, to share important insights into non-governmental space activity to help inform and shape federal policy and programs. The legislation now moves to the full Senate for consideration.
    “The importance of the commercial space sector will only continue to grow as it plays a larger role in shaping the future of space exploration,” said Senator Peters. “I’m proud to lead this bipartisan legislation to provide space industry leaders in Michigan and across the U.S. with a chance to shape federal space policy and provide insight into how to stay competitive on a global scale. I’m going to continue working with my colleagues to see it pass the Senate.” 
    The Commercial Space Activity Advisory Committee would be comprised of 15 members who make recommendations on various priorities, including: 
    Identifying challenges relating to international obligations and export controls that affect the commercial space sector. 
    Addressing the need to access adequate, predictable, and reliable radio frequency spectrum. 
    Reviewing best practices for U.S. entities to avoid harmful environmental impacts to both earth and space. 
    Providing recommendations on matters related to space sector development and other activities the advisory committee considers necessary. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden, Hirono Demand Answers on Trump Rescinding Emergency Reproductive Care Guidance

    US Senate News:

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

    June 25, 2025

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Mazie K. Hirono, D-Hawai’i, today demanded answers from the Trump Administration about its decision to rescind Biden-era guidance that reaffirmed the obligation of hospitals to provide life-saving, emergency abortion care under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA).

    Passed into law in 1986, EMTALA requires any hospital receiving Medicare funding to provide necessary stabilizing treatment for any individuals experiencing a medical emergency, including abortion care. The law clearly mandates that hospitals offer abortion care in cases where it is deemed medically necessary to prevent serious harm to patients.

    However, since the Supreme Court handed down the disastrous Dobbs decision three years ago, more than 20 states have passed laws to ban or severely restrict access to abortion, creating chaos and confusion over conflicting state and federal laws and resulting in countless women being denied lifesaving care – despite an obligation by hospitals to provide necessary emergency abortion care under federal law, no matter which state they operate.

    “While EMTALA remains binding federal law, the rescission will create further confusion for hospitals and providers, especially in states with abortion bans, and will result in medically-necessary care being withheld from pregnant patients in crisis,” wrote the lawmakers in their letter to Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. “When doctors are forced to navigate the complex legal interplay of state abortion bans and federal EMTALA protections, pregnant people experience care delays and may receive substandard care.”

    The senators asserted that by rescinding this guidance, HHS has further complicated how hospitals and doctors navigate existing health care law, needlessly putting pregnant women at severe risk of harm, medical complications, lasting health consequences, and even preventable death.  

    “This abrupt decision will further the chaos and confusion that hospitals, physicians, and patients have experienced since the Dobbs decision and will result in negative and deadly consequences for women and families across the United States,” the lawmakers concluded. 

    In addition to Wyden and Hirono, the letter was signed by Senators Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del., Tammy Duckworth,D-Ill., Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Angela Alsobrooks, D-Md, Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., Tina Smith, D-Minn., and Jacky Rosen, D-Nev.

    Wyden has been a longtime advocate in the Senate for upholding abortion access, including the federal protections granted under EMTALA.  In December 2024, Wyden released the results of an investigation into eight hospitals that delayed or denied reproductive care in violation of EMTALA. In March, he condemned Donald Trump’s Department of Justice for dropping a case brought by the Biden administration that challenged Idaho’s extreme abortion ban. 

    The full text of the letter is here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: On Third Anniversary of Roe Being Overturned, Merkley and Wyden Join Bill to Restore Abortion Access Nationwide

    US Senate News:

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

    June 25, 2025

    Women’s Health Protection Act comes as Trump and Congressional Republicans move to restrict a woman’s right to choose and toward a national abortion ban

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – On the third anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined the entire Senate Democratic caucus in introducing the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2025, legislation to guarantee access to abortion everywhere across the country and restore the right to comprehensive reproductive health care for millions of Americans. 

    The bill’s introduction comes as the Trump Administration further attacks reproductive freedom and Congressional Republicans barrel ahead with a bill that defunds Planned Parenthood. Put together, Trump and Congressional Republicans’ assault on Americans’ reproductive rights is ripping away millions of women’s access to abortion care and right to control their bodies.

    “Politicians have no place in the exam room,” said Merkley. “The freedom to be in control of your own body is an essential freedom. Here in America, everyone should have the same right to make medical decisions about their own body, and to access the care they need—including reproductive care—free from political interference. The Women’s Health Protection Act codifies Roe v. Wade into law and protects access to the full scope of reproductive health care.”

    “Three years after gutting Roe, Donald Trump and Republicans across the country aren’t slowing down on their efforts to strip women of the right to make their own health care decisions,” said Wyden. “This bill will take the much-needed step of codifying reproductive health care protections under Roe once and for all, and stop Republicans in their crusade to put a politician in every exam room and bedroom in America. I am proud to join my Democratic colleagues in making sure every woman in red and blue states alike once again has the right to choose their future.”

    President Trump appointed the Supreme Court Justices who ruled in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case to overturn Roe v. Wade and nearly 50 years of precedent. Since the Dobbs decision, 19 states have banned abortion or severely restricted women from being able to access the procedure, leaving one in three American women without access to safe, legal abortion care. Additionally, state legislatures across the country have introduced hundreds of bills to codify medically unnecessary restrictions that limit access to abortion care. 

    In his second term, President Trump has continued to relentlessly attack reproductive rights, including freezing Title X funding for clinics that offer reproductive care, cutting Biden-era emergency abortion protections, pardoning anti-abortion extremists, and fighting to defund Planned Parenthood. Additionally, the House-passed Republican budget bill kicks 16 million people off their health insurance and defunds Planned Parenthood—threatening the closure of 200 health centers across the country and putting access to vital reproductive care for millions of families at risk.

    The Women’s Health Protection Act of 2025 creates federal rights for patients and providers to protect abortion access. Specifically, the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2025 would:

    • Prohibit states from imposing restrictions that jeopardize access to abortion earlier in pregnancy, including many of the state-level restrictions in place prior to?Dobbs, such as arbitrary waiting periods, medically unnecessary mandatory ultrasounds, or requirements to provide medically inaccurate information.
    • Ensure that later in pregnancy, states cannot limit access to abortion if it would jeopardize the life or health of the mother.
    • Protect the ability to travel out of state for an abortion, which has become increasingly common in recent years.

    Merkley and Wyden are cosponsors of the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2025, which is led in the Senate by U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Patty Murray (D-WA). The legislation is supported by the entire Democratic caucus, including Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D- DE) Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).

    Full text of the bill is available by clicking here. A one-pager on the bill is available by clicking here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senate Passes Sen. Johnson’s Resolution Designating July as National Sarcoma Awareness Month

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Ron Johnson

    WASHINGTON – Yesterday, the Senate passed U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson’s (R-Wis.) resolution designating July as National Sarcoma Awareness Month. The resolution raises awareness of sarcoma, a form of cancer, and honors the life of Melissa Locke and the many other Americans that this disease affects.

    “I am pleased that my resolution passed the Senate in honor of Melissa Locke and the countless other Americans who have struggled with this life-threatening disease. I hope we can continue to increase awareness of this complex form of cancer that is diagnosed thousands of times each year,” said Sen. Johnson.

    Sen. Johnson with Melissa and Brendan Locke 

    The full text of the resolution can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: In Aftermath of Iran Strikes, Reed Urges Trump Admin. to Strengthen Cybersecurity

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed

    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. cyber officials and private experts are warning that Iran and Iran-linked groups may try to target the U.S. with a range of cyberattacks that could cause serious damage and disruption to private and public sector interests.  In the wake of U.S. airstrikes on Iran, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a bulletin through the National Terrorism Advisory System, which read: “Low-level cyber attacks against U.S. networks by pro-Iranian hacktivists are likely, and cyber actors affiliated with the Iranian government may conduct attacks against U.S. networks.”

    In addition to these warnings, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, is urging the Trump Administration to take action to bolster the nation’s cyber defenses and assist American industries and municipalities that may be targeted for attacks. 

    “As sophisticated cyber threats mount, we should be surging resources and reinforcements to America’s cyber defenses.  We’ve got to secure our infrastructure and protect critical systems.  Unfortunately, the Trump Administration has undermined the capacity and capabilities of our country’s most critical cybersecurity agencies,” said Senator Reed.

    Reed warns that the Trump Administration’s partisan efforts to purge the federal workforce and slash the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) — America’s primary cyber agency — is putting U.S. national security at risk.  CISA is the frontline federal agency in charge of defending federal networks, state and local governments, and critical infrastructure against cyber threats.  CISA’s mission includes ransomware defense, supply chain resilience, and public-private coordination.

    The Trump Administration has targeted CISA for downsizing, already forcing out over 1,000 CISA employees – roughly one-third of CISA’s workforce.  The drastic staff reductions coupled with proposed future budget cuts jeopardize America’s ability to effectively repel, thwart, and deter cyberattacks; defend federal networks; and support critical infrastructure operators.

    Reed stated: “As the cyber threat level is rising from Iran, affiliated hacktivists, and other adversaries, the Trump Administration is gutting CISA and taking down our best defenses, leaving America dangerously exposed to cyberattacks.  The Trump Administration must stop undermining the capacity of America’s cyber defense agency.  I urge the Trump Administration to take immediate action to rehire technical cyber talent, restore CISA funding, and reinstate key cyber defense programs immediately.  We need to ramp up in the weeks and months ahead and be vigilant in defending against offensive cyber operations by Iran or their partners.”

    The Trump Administration is seeking to reduce CISA’s budget by over $490 million – reducing the agency’s operational funding obligations from $2.38 billion to $1.96 billion.  This includes dismantling and eliminating several key programs entirely, such as the agency’s Election Security Program and the innovative Cyber Safety Review Board.

    Meanwhile, the Trump Administration is targeting other key U.S. cyber defense assets for major budget cuts, including:

    • The FBI, which leads domestic cybercriminal investigations, would have its budget reduced $560 million, alongside a loss of nearly 1,900 staff.
    • The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) National Security Division, which handles foreign intelligence surveillance policy and various counterintelligence operations, would have its budget reduced by $14 million, accompanied by a reduction of full-time employees.
    • The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response, which oversees cybersecurity for the nation’s electric grid, would see a sharp cut of $43 million and a staffing reduction of more than 30 percent.
    • The National Science Foundation’s computer science research activities would be cut by $606 million, or 64 percent of its budget, in FY26.

    Beyond CISA and domestic cyber defenses, President Trump abruptly fired the previous director of the National Security Agency (NSA) and head of U.S. Cyber Command, General Timothy Haugh, and his top deputy, without explanation this April, following a meeting with right-wing activist Laura Loomer at the White House.  With support from U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Army Lt. General Richard Angle was then announced as the nominee to be the successor for the job.  However, the White House then opted not to move forward with Lt. General Angle’s nomination, without public explanation.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto, Colleagues Demand Trump Administration Explain Disturbing Secret VA Hospital Guideline Changes

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and 25 of her colleagues to demand the Trump Administration’s Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) explain why it changed certain VA Medical Center bylaws in a way that could invite discrimination against veteran patients and health care providers.

    The letter follows recent reporting detailing how the Trump Administration secretly changed guidelines in a way that could allow political affiliation or sexual orientation to serve as reasons for denial of health care for veterans or the hiring of medical professionals. Language that previously required VA providers to care for veterans regardless of politics, marital status, age, national origin, and disability has been removed from certain VA health care facilities’ medical bylaws. Language that also previously ensured decisions for who was able to be a part of VA’s medical staff were made without regard to political affiliation, marital status, age, national origin, disability, gender, sexual orientation, and union membership have been removed from certain VA facilities’ medical bylaws.

    “We write today to request information regarding recent changes to patient and staff policies governing medical facilities within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA),” wrote the Senators in a letter to VA Secretary Doug Collins. “Having reviewed past and current versions of bylaws for multiple medical facilities within the Department, we have confirmed the Department made changes, in secret and without notification to the veterans you serve or to Congress, that could allow for discrimination in treating patients and hiring medical professionals.”

    The senators continued highlighting the Administration’s unjustified changes: “While many of the previously specified traits that have been removed from VA facilities’ bylaws potentially remain protected under existing statutes, the message VA is sending by stripping explicit references to these criteria is still deeply disturbing. Allowing, let alone encouraging, this ambiguity opens the door for widespread discrimination. These changes invite uncertainty as to whether a patient can be denied access to their earned health care or whether a provider is considered unfit to serve veterans based on anything other than their expertise and credentials. Even the appearance of allowing discrimination directly violates VA’s own mission…”

    The senators concluded by declaring it Collins’ responsibility as Secretary to explain why this Administration would strip certain anti-discrimination provisions from VA’s bylaws and publish clear and immediate assurances that the Department will not discriminate against patients or employees: “It is your duty to answer to veterans, the public, and Congress as to why VA is sowing confusion and potentially putting veterans at risk and jeopardizing the Department’s medical workforce, clinicians’ licensure, and accreditation of its medical facilities nationwide. We insist you publish proper justification and clarification of these changes so as to leave no uncertainty as to the Department’s protections for patients and employees against unlawful and unethical discrimination.”

    The full text of the senators’ letter can be found here.

    Senator Cortez Masto is a champion for our service members and veterans. She helped pass the PACT Act to ensure veterans suffering from toxic exposure in the line of duty get the medical care they need, and she worked across the aisle to get legislation helping veterans exposed to Agent Orange and expanding benefits for women veterans signed into law. The senator sent a letter to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Collins demanding he provide answers on the mass terminations of personnel across the VA, specifically those in Nevada, and how those terminations would impact services to Nevada veterans.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murkowski Engages with VA Secretary Collins on Alaska Veterans’ Priorities

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alaska Lisa Murkowski

    06.24.25

    Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) welcomed the Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins to the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee to discuss the Department of Veteran Affairs’ Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) budget request. Senator Murkowski reinforced to the Secretary the unique needs of Alaska’s veterans, and sought confirmation that the VA Advisory Committee on Tribal and Indian Affairs will continue to serve the needs of Alaska Native veterans.

    Watch the Senator’s full line of questioning here.

    The full transcript is below.

    TRANSCRIPT

    Murkowski: Welcome, thank you. To follow on Senator Collins’ comments about our rural veterans, you kind of pointed out that Alaska is in that same bucket. I’m just going to say, we’re bigger, we’re badder, we’re just more complicated as you know. We’re very proud to host more veterans per capita in Alaska than anywhere else out there. So, how we do outreach to our rural veterans has long been a challenge. You and I have had an opportunity to talk about that. But it’s everything from traveling the long distances, we’re not going to be able to put that veteran in a car. More likely than not, it’s going to be travel that requires flying. It may be trying to access them through telehealth but when you have limited broadband that’s a problem. Then we have shortages of local healthcare providers, it’s complicated in many ways. But all of our veterans deserve this care and I think we recognize that.

    So, know that I, along with Senator Collins, are very interested in any strategies that you are looking to advance to maintain and expand services in our rural communities. I have talked about establishing an outreach program that would send teams to rural areas that are off the road system to just kind of let them know about their benefits, about the services that are made available. We can’t necessarily do everything, but we can at least let you know this is what your VA can do for you. I would hope that you’d work with us to support that kind of an event.

    Collins: I definitely would and if you would allow me to expand just a minute on that: I think this is one of the issues that… I want us to break out of the model in many ways, and I say this in a very generic fashion. I want us to break out of the model that everything has to be the way we’ve always done it.

    Murkowski: Right.

    Collins: We have to go to a brick and mortar, we have to go to this as a clinic. We have one of the things, and it just highlighted recently: we had to close our ambulatory clinic. This is not a rural issue, but it’s sort of the class of the issue, we had to close our ambulatory clinic in L.A. because of the riots and other things going on in L.A. We had interrupted almost 1,800 appointments and some were telehealth, some we were able to move to others, but for the most part we had folks who weren’t getting care. Very familiar, if you were in the middle of a rural state or Alaska or anywhere else you’re not getting it.

    So, we were already beginning to see how could we bring in mobile clinics and others even in that area, in a safe area, where our appointments could be kept. So, for me, if we have those kind of resources, can we do those in states such as Alaska and others? Instead of always just defaulting to something as you said, like a telehealth model or a visiting doctor, maybe have regular roundabouts that have our health teams go out with these mobile vehicles that could actually do and provide primary care and others. Of course, they need to go elsewhere, and we could do that I think. I’m willing to think outside the box to do that. It would work in a very rural state, it could work in a state like you know New York, Georgia, anywhere else.

    Murkowski: You’ve kind of picked my brain. We provide or there are some non-profits and some for-profits that provide mobile mammography units, that go out to put them on a barge, you go up the river. It has provided access to women in rural parts of the state that would never be able to get this kind of screening. You can do that kind of teaming, but you do have to be willing to think outside the box a little bit, and I appreciate that you’re looking into that.

    Let me ask you here about the Tribal health side. I’m pleased that IHS and VA have entered into a reimbursement agreement as we’re trying to figure out how we access some of the unique challenges in VA services. Office of Tribal Government Relations, this is an office that has proven to be important. I would like to know if you think that that government relations office will continue. And then, the VA Advisory Committee on Tribal and Indian Affairs, this is another VA advisory body, this is under review. Know that the committee really does play a vital role in ensuring that Native voices are represented when VA policies are developed. We think that it’s good, it helps to advance culturally competent care, strengthens Tribal consultation, and helps the VA fulfill its commitment.

    So, I don’t know if you can give me an update on the current status of this committee and whether its work will continue uninterrupted. And then, if you can share with me whether or not you think the Office of Tribal Government Relations will continue.

    Collins: Yes, to both, they’re both going to be continuing and also, we’re continuing to outreach as well through, and as I said earlier, we’re making sure our intergovernmental offices and working with different organizations is strengthening. We brought in our caseload to make sure that we’re reaching out to States, Tribes, and others, that is being a part of what we do, so, they’re both increasing. Also, I’m looking forward to being there I think, if my schedule told me correctly, I’ll be up there in October. I think around some of these issues that will be going on with the Tribes.

    Murkowski: Great, hopefully you’re scheduling that trip to coincide with the Alaska Federation of Natives Conference in October.

    Collins: I believe it is, yes.

    Murkowski: That’s great. Mr. Chairman, I’ve got a couple questions that I’m going to submit for the record, one is on the roof of the Palmer Pioneer Home. I can’t let a hearing go by without mentioning that. As well as the electronic health record roll out,  as you know the Alaska VA system is going to get the roll out of this technology in 2026. There’s a lot of people anxious about that because previous rollouts have not exactly been fun. So, you will see those questions submitted for the record.

    Collins: I look forward to that and maybe later on you know, we’ll discuss it. Electronic health record is very important.

    Murkowski: Yes, it sure is, thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senators Murkowski, Shaheen Lead Bipartisan Legislation to Impose Sanctions on Perpetrators of Global Violence against LGBTQ+ Communities

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alaska Lisa Murkowski

    06.25.25

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) led a bipartisan group of lawmakers in reintroducing the Global Respect Act. The legislation would impose sanctions on foreign actors responsible for human rights violations against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQ+) individuals abroad. Additional cosponsors of the bill include Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Peter Welch (D-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Edward Markey (D-MA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR). 

     “Around the world, individuals who are part of the LGBTQ+ community are in danger for simply existing,” said Senator Murkowski. “Hate and violence cannot and should not be tolerated. I’m hopeful that this legislation will establish actionable consequences for these inexcusable human rights violations, and create a safer world for all people— regardless of who they are or who they love.” 

    “I am re-introducing this legislation because the risk of personal harm for LGBTQI individuals for publicly identifying who they are or expressing who they love has tragically increased in recent years,” said Senator Shaheen. “Human rights, as defined by the Universal Declaration of Human rights, recognizes that global freedom, justice and peace depend on ‘the inherent dignity’ and ‘the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family.’  LBGTQI human rights are universal human rights. We must ensure that we hold all violators of those rights accountable.” 

    Specifically, the Global Respect Act would: 

    • Require the Executive Branch to biannually send Congress a list of foreign persons responsible for, or complicit in, cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment of an individual; prolonged detention of an individual without charges or trials; causing the disappearance of an individual by abduction and clandestine detention of an individual; other flagrant denials of the right to life, liberty or the security of an individual; 
    • Authorize the Administration to deny or revoke visas to individuals placed on the list; 
    • Require the annual State Department Report on Human Rights to include a section on LGBTI international human rights, as well as an annual report to Congress on the status of the law’s effectiveness; and  
    • Require the Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor to designate a senior officer responsible for tracking violence, criminalization and restrictions on the enjoyment of fundamental freedoms in foreign countries based on sexual orientation or gender identity.   

    Ranking Member Shaheen first introduced the Global Respect Act in the 114th Congress. The legislation has been endorsed by the Human Rights Campaign, the Council for Global Equality, American Jewish World Service and Human Rights First.  

    Full text of the bill is available HERE. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sens. Warner & Kaine Introduce Bill to Protect Access to Reproductive Health Care

    US Senate News:

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

    WASHINGTON—Yesterday, on the third anniversary of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, U.S. Senator Mark R. Warner and Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate, Health, Education and Labor (HELP) Committee, joined Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Patty Murray (D-WA) in introducing the Women’s Health Protection Act, legislation to guarantee access to abortion care across the country. The bill’s introduction comes as the Trump Administration and Republicans continue to attack reproductive freedom. Virginia is the last southern state where abortion is still legal, and Virginia has seen an increase in demand for abortions after other states have passed laws restricting access.

    “In the three years since Roe v. Wade was overturned, we’ve seen the consequences unfold in real time: women denied lifesaving care, doctors forced to navigate confusing and dangerous legal gray areas, and families left to deal with the fallout. Decisions about pregnancy should be made between a woman and her doctor, not by politicians,” said Sen. Warner. “This bill would once and for all restore the constitutional right to abortion, permanently making it safe and legal nationwide.”

    “Three years ago, the Supreme Court took away Americans’ ability to access reproductive health care, and since then, we’ve seen the tragic impacts of this decision for women across the country,” said Sen. Kaine. “I’m proud to be joining my colleagues in introducing this legislation to protect access to abortion nationwide and restore Americans’ freedom to make their own health care decisions.”

    Since the Dobbs decision, 19 states have banned abortion or severely restricted women from being able to access the procedure, leaving one in three American women without access to safe, legal abortion care. Additionally, state legislatures across the country have introduced hundreds of bills to include medically unnecessary restrictions that limit access to abortion care. In his second term, President Trump has continued to attack reproductive rights, including freezing Title X funding for clinics that offer reproductive care, cutting Biden-era emergency abortion protections, and fighting to defund Planned Parenthood. Additionally, the House-passed Republican budget bill kicks 16 million people off their health insurance and defunds Planned Parenthood, threatening the closure of 200 health centers across the country and putting access to vital reproductive care for millions of families at risk.

    The Women’s Health Protection Act guarantees the right to access an abortion—and the right of an abortion provider to deliver these services—free from medically unnecessary restrictions that interfere with a patient’s individual choice or the provider-patient relationship. The bill also protects the ability to travel out of state for an abortion, which has become increasingly common in recent years.

    Following the Dobbs decision, Sens. Warner and Kaine have strongly advocated for legislation to protect Americans’ access to reproductive health care. The senators cosponsored legislation to protect the right of women to travel across state lines for abortion services and help protect medical providers from being punished for providing patients with this care.

    In addition to Sens. Warner, Kaine, Baldwin, Blumenthal, and Murray, the Women’s Health Protection Act is cosponsored by Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

    Full text of the legislation is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –