NewzIntel.com

Category: USA White House

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Modernizes American Workforce Programs for the High-Paying Skilled Trade Jobs of the Future

    Source: The White House

    OVERHAULING FEDERAL WORKFORCE TRAINING: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to modernize American workforce programs to prepare citizens for the high-paying skilled trade jobs of the future.

    • The order directs the Secretaries of Labor, Education, and Commerce to review all federal workforce programs to modernize, integrate, and re-align programs to address critical workforce needs in emerging industries.
    • These Secretaries shall provide President Trump with a streamlined and integrated plan to re-orient federal workforce programs to prepare the American economy for the opportunities presented by reshoring and re-industrialization.
    • This Comprehensive Workforce Strategy will further America’s global economic leadership and domination of key sectors by, among other things, capitalizing on the AI revolution.

    PROVIDING RETURN ON WORKFORCE INVESTMENT: After years of shuffling Americans through an economically unproductive postsecondary system, President Trump will refocus young Americans on career preparation.

    • Decades of failed political leadership have left America with a one-size-fits-all approach to workforce preparedness, which previous Administrations promoted as “college for all.”
    • The Federal Government invests over $700 billion a year in American higher education, but only about half of new college graduates find jobs that require college degrees.
    • Meanwhile, the Federal Government spends $4.1 billion on the Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act and $1.4 billion on Career and Technical Education through the Perkins Act. Neither of these programs are structured to promote apprenticeships or have incentives to meet workforce training needs.
    • The Trump Administration is putting American workers first, unleashing domestic advanced manufacturing to produce the best American-made products and implement world-leading, American-developed technologies.

    BACK TO THE FUTURE OF JOBS: After decades of leadership by so-called “Experts” making wrong predictions on what the future will hold, President Trump will restore focus on sectors and programs that Made the American Economy Great in the first place.

    • In 2024, there was a shortage of 447,00 construction workers and 94,000 durable goods workers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the annual shortage of skilled tradesman over the next decade will be close to half a million—and grow as the years go by.
    • This understates the problem—and the opportunity. Even the best federal government statisticians cannot predict the future. As the potential of American AI increases, and as America reshores manufacturing and makes Made in America a mark of international envy, America will need more skilled tradesman than we’re prepared to train.
    • President Trump’s Executive Order will meet the needs of the future with a focus on registered apprenticeships. The Administration will submit a plan to support more than 1 million apprenticeships per year.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Reinstates Commonsense School Discipline Policies

    Source: The White House

    REINSTATING COMMONSENSE, NON-DISCRIMINATORY SCHOOL DISCIPLINE POLICIES: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to restore safety and order in American classrooms by ensuring school discipline policies are based on objective behavior, not DEI.

    • The Order requires new guidance to local and state educational agencies regarding school discipline, emphasizing compliance with Title VI protections against racial discrimination and preferencing.
    • It calls for appropriate action against educational agencies that fail to comply with Title VI by continuing to use racially preferential discipline practices. 
    • The Order requires a report to the President that includes an analysis of DEI-based school discipline and its consequences, measures to ensure that federal funds do not support racially preferential policies, including through nonprofit organizations, and proposing model discipline policies rooted in American values.   

    ENSURING SAFETY AND ORDER IN AMERICAN CLASSROOMS: President Trump is taking action to combat the increased levels of classroom disorder and school violence that teachers and students are facing due to flawed Obama-Biden policies.  

    • In 2014, the Obama Administration issued guidance pressuring schools (including with threatened loss of federal funding) to impose discipline in a manner designed to equalize disciplinary rates by race, rather than simply imposing discipline based on objective behavior alone.
    • As a result, students were disciplined differently depending on their race, and some students who should have been suspended or expelled for dangerous behavior remained in the classroom.
      • A 2018 Federal Commission on School Safety report found that schools ignored or covered up student misconduct to avoid federal scrutiny over racial disparities in discipline data.
    • Following the 2018 report, President Trump rescinded the Obama-era guidance.
    • In 2023, the Biden Administration reinstated the Obama practice of weaponizing Title VI to promote a DEI approach to school discipline, which makes schools less safe.

    MAKING AMERICA’S EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS GREAT AGAIN: President Trump prioritizes the needs of students, parents, and teachers over the demands of teachers’ unions, ensuring policies serve the interests of American families first.

    • President Trump eliminated divisive DEI programs in classrooms to foster unity and focus on academic excellence.
    • President Trump signed an Executive Order to expand educational freedom and opportunity for families.
    • President Trump directed the Secretary of Education to take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and return education authority to the States to better serve children.
    • President Trump prohibited federal funding for COVID-19 vaccine mandates in schools.
    • President Trump signed an Executive Order to keep men out of women’s sports and locker rooms.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Signs Landmark Order to Restore Equality of Opportunity and Meritocracy

    Source: The White House

    TREATING AMERICANS EQUALLY: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order eliminating the use of disparate-impact liability in various contexts to ensure equal treatment under the law.

    • Disparate-impact liability is a legal theory holding that differences in outcomes among races, sexes, or similar groups indicate unlawful discrimination, even without discriminatory intent or policies, but the theory violates the Constitution’s guarantee of equal treatment for all by requiring race-oriented policies and practices to rebalance outcomes along racial lines.
    • The Order revokes presidential actions that approved of disparate-impact liability and sets in motion broader reform.
    • It directs all agencies to deprioritize enforcement of statutes and regulations that include disparate-impact liability.
    • The Order instructs the Attorney General to repeal or amend all Title VI (racial nondiscrimination) regulations that contemplate disparate-impact liability.
    • It directs the administration to assess all pending investigations, lawsuits, and consent judgements that rely on a theory of disparate-impact liability, and take appropriate action.

    RESTORING EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY: This Executive Order restores the true promise of the Civil Rights Movement—a system that does not differentiate between Americans based on race and where success is determined by individual merit, free from discriminatory practices that prioritize group outcomes over personal achievement.

    • Disparate-impact liability undermines civil-rights laws by mandating discrimination to achieve predetermined, race-oriented outcomes, contradicting the Constitution’s guarantee of equal protection and treatment.
    • It hinders businesses from making merit-based hiring decisions—depriving job seekers of opportunities best suited to their skills and preventing employers from acting in the best interests of their customers and the public.
    • The Order ensures that opportunity is based on individual effort and achievement, not immutable characteristics, upholding the promise of the American Dream.

    ADVANCING A MERIT-BASED AMERICA: President Trump is a champion of individual merit and fairness.  

    • President Trump: “Our country is going to be based on merit again.”
    • In his first week in office, President Trump signed an Executive Order to restore merit-based opportunity in the federal workforce.
    • President Trump also signed an Executive Order to restore merit and mission focus to America’s armed forces.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Week 13 Wins: President Trump’s Relentless Pursuit of Prosperity, Opportunity

    Source: The White House

    Another week of successes for the American people is in the books as President Donald J. Trump continues to deliver on his promises.

    Here is a non-comprehensive list of wins in week 13:

    • Americans continued to see early results of President Trump’s commitment to American manufacturing and job growth.
      • Abbott Laboratories announced it will spend $500 million on its Illinois and Texas facilities.
      • NVIDIA announced it will manufacture its AI supercomputers entirely in the U.S. as part of its pledge to produce $500 billion of AI infrastructure in the U.S. over the next four years.
      • Honda Motor Co. announced plans to shift production of the Civic from Japan to the U.S. amid plans to boost its U.S. production by up to 30% in the next several years.
      • Ellwood Group – a small manufacturer of forged steel, nickel and aluminum products – announced a sales increase of 35% quarter-over-quarter following President Trump’s steel tariffs.
    • President Trump continued to secure our border and rid our communities of illegal immigrant criminals.
      • U.S. Border Patrol recorded the fewest illegal crossings at the southwest border on record in March – down 94% lower over last March.Violent terrorist gang members and criminal illegal immigrants continued to be deported to El Salvador.
      • In just the past several days, ICE arrested a host of depraved criminal illegal immigrants, including a convicted rapist in Brooklyn, a convicted murder in Los Angeles, and a convicted arsonist in Virginia.
    • President Trump continued to pursue peace through strength around the world.
      • The Trump administration secured the release of an America missionary held in Tunisia for 13 months.
      • The Trump Administration directed additional successful airstrikes against Houthi terrorists.
    • President Trump signed an order aimed at stopping illegal immigrants and other ineligible individuals from obtaining benefits under the Social Security Act and enhancing investigations into fraud.
    • President Trump took executive action to expand on the historic efforts of his first term to lower prescription drug prices — delivering lower prices for Medicare, providing massive discounts on lifesaving medications, like insulin, for low-income and uninsured Americans, and helping states save millions on prescription drug costs.
    • President Trump opened the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument to commercial fishing, undoing a nonsensical Biden-era ban and boosting the economy of American Samoa and other Pacific islands.
    • President Trump signed an executive order to restore American seafood competitiveness by reducing regulatory burdens, combating unfair foreign trade practices, and enhancing domestic seafood production and exports.
    • President Trump took additional action to ensure government remains accountable to the taxpayers who fund it.
      • President Trump signed a memorandum to ensure government is leveraging modern technology to effectively and efficiently conduct environmental reviews and evaluate permits.
      • President Trump signed an executive order to enforce existing law requiring the federal government to utilize the competitive marketplace and the innovations of private enterprise to provide better, more-cost-effective services to taxpayers.
      • President Trump rescinded two longstanding presidential actions that unnecessarily restricted where federal agencies could site their facilities.
      • President Trump signed an executive order to dramatically simplify and streamline the federal procurement process.
    • President Trump signed an executive order launching an investigation into the national security risks posed by U.S. reliance on imported processed critical minerals and their derivative products.
    • The Department of Justice announced a civil lawsuit against the Maine Department of Education over their consistent and willful refusal to protect women and girls in sports and other private spaces.
    • The Department of the Treasury continued its crackdown on Chinese facilitation of Iranian oil exports, sanctioning various Chinese companies purchasing from, and providing vessels for, Iran’s shadow fleet.
    • The Department of the Interior announced the emergency withdrawal and transfer of jurisdiction of nearly 110,000 acres of federal land along the southern border to support operations in border security.
    • The Trump Administration’s joint task force on Title IX launched an investigation into the University of Maryland over allowing a male athlete to compete in women’s fencing and use women’s-only intimate facilities, and launched an investigation into the University of Maryland and Wagner college for penalizing a female athlete for refusing to compete against a male.
    • Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard released records on the government’s investigation into the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy.
    • The Department of State canceled 139 grants worth $214 million, including wasteful programs like “Building the Migrant Domestic Worker-Led Movement” in Lebanon or “Get the Trolls Out!” in the United Kingdom.
    • The Department of State scrapped its Global Engagement Center, which was at the center of U.S. government-sponsored censorship and media manipulation.
    • The Department of Health and Human Services launched new studies on the link between environmental toxins and autism.
    • Institutions across the country continued to dissolve their divisive “diversity, equity, and inclusion” programming in response to President Trump’s executive order.
      • James Madison University ended its DEI programming.
      • Ball State University announced it will end its DEI programming.
      • Rochester Community School District in Michigan eliminated its DEI director position.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Creates New Federal Employee Category to Enhance Accountability

    Source: The White House

    RESTORING ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE FEDERAL WORKFORCE: Today, President Donald J. Trump’s Office of Personnel Management (OPM) took action to implement President Trump’s Executive Action titled “Restoring Accountability to Policy-Influencing Positions Within the Federal Workforce.”

    • OPM proposed a rule to amend the civil service regulations to include Schedule Policy/Career for career employees with important policy-determining, policy-making, policy-advocating, or confidential duties.
      • These employees will serve as at-will employees, without access to cumbersome adverse action procedures or appeals, overturning Biden Administration regulations that protected poor performing employees.
      • Line federal employees who implement those policies, like Border Patrol agents or wage and hour inspectors, will generally be excluded.
    • This rule empowers federal agencies to swiftly remove employees in policy-influencing roles for poor performance, misconduct, corruption, or subversion of Presidential directives, without lengthy procedural hurdles.
    • Schedule Policy/Career positions remain career positions, filled through existing nonpartisan, merit-based hiring processes.
      • These employees will keep their competitive status and are not required to personally or politically support the President, but must faithfully implement the law and the administration’s policies.
    • OPM estimates 50,000 positions will ultimately be moved into Schedule Policy/Career, approximately 2% of the Federal workforce.
      • The proposed rule does not directly move positions into Schedule Policy/Career. That will be done by a subsequent executive order after a final rule issues.

     
    FIXING A BROKEN SYSTEM: The proposed rule tackles systemic issues in federal workforce accountability, addressing unaccountable, policy-determining federal employees who put their own interests ahead of the American people’s.

    • Federal employees report their agencies do not hold employees accountable:
      • The Merit Principles Survey shows less than a quarter of federal employees believe their agencies address poor performers effectively.
      • When asked what typically happens to poor performers in their work unit, federal employees’ most common response is they “remain in the work unit and continue to underperform.”
    • This happens because the process for removing federal employees is lengthy and difficult:
      • The Government Accountability Office reports it takes 6 months to a year to remove poor performers, even before appeals.
      • Only two-fifths of federal managers are confident they could remove employees who committed serious misconduct.
      • Just one-quarter believe they could remove an employee for poor performance in a critical element of their job.
    • Unaccountability allows corruption to fester in agencies:
      • For example, a recent audit of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) found widespread misconduct by senior leaders, such as male supervisors pressuring female subordinates for sexual favors in exchange for career assistance.
      • The FDIC almost never seriously disciplined employees for such corrupt behavior. Not a single complaint to the agency’s Anti-Harassment program resulted in a removal, or even a demotion.
      • The auditors found the FDIC tolerated misconduct because the removal process was too difficult to use. 
    • Some bureaucrats also use the protections the system gives them to oppose presidential policies and impose their own preferences:
      • Recent polling asked senior federal employees in Washington, D.C., what they would do if the President gave them a lawful order they considered bad policy. A plurality said they would ignore the order and do what they thought best.
      • During the first Trump administration career attorneys in the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division would not assist in litigation charging Yale University with racially discriminating against Asian and Caucasian  applicants.
      • In the President’s first term, career employees in the Department of Education would not constructively assist in drafting major rules like the Title IX rules.
      • An Equal Employment Opportunity Commission administrative judge (AJ) recently sent an agency-wide email stating that the agency’s Acting Chair (who was appointed by President Trump) was “not fit to be our chair much less hold a license to practice law” and that the AJ would not implement President Trump’s Executive Orders.
    • Unaccountable bureaucracy undermines democracy. For the government to be accountable to the American people, elected officials must be able to hold policy-determining and policy-making career employees accountable for their performance and conduct.

     
    DRAINING THE SWAMP: President Trump is delivering on his promise to dismantle the deep state and reclaim our government from Washington corruption.

    • In his first term, President Trump signed an Executive Order to reclassify certain federal workers in policy-related roles as “Schedule F” employees, enabling swift accountability for those in influential positions.
    • When President Biden took office, he revoked this Executive Order, reinstating protections that shielded unaccountable bureaucrats.

    President Trump vowed on the campaign trail to reinstate this Executive Order, a promise he kept on his first day returning to office.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Extends the Hiring Freeze

    Source: The White House

    EXTENDING THE HIRING FREEZE: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum extending the hiring freeze for an additional three months.

    • The freeze, originally implemented on January 20, 2025, prohibits filling vacant federal civilian positions or creating new ones, with minor exceptions.
      • Exemptions from the freeze for necessary positions—including for immigration enforcement, national security, and public safety—shall remain.
    • This Memorandum extends the hiring freeze through July 15, 2025.
    • It also clarifies that once a merit hiring plan has been adopted, any hiring of employees exempt from the freeze shall be consistent with that plan.
    • Upon expiration of the hiring freeze and implementation of the hiring plan, agencies will be able to hire no more than one employee for every four employees that depart from federal service (with appropriate immigration, law enforcement, and public safety exceptions).

    PROMOTING FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY: The extension of the hiring freeze is a critical step in shrinking the federal government and ensuring taxpayer dollars are used efficiently.

    • In the last two years of the Biden Administration, government was directly responsible for the creation of more than 1 in every 4 jobs.
    • President Trump is committed to reversing this trend by prioritizing private-sector job growth and reducing the federal workforce to focus on essential functions.

    REFORMING THE FEDERAL BUREAUCRACY: The American people elected President Trump to drain the swamp and end ineffective government programs that empower government without achieving measurable results.

    • The government wastes billions of dollars each year on duplicative programs and frivolous expenditures that fail to align with American values or address the needs of the American people.
    • President Trump established the “Department of Government Efficiency” to examine how to streamline the Federal Government, eliminate unnecessary programs, and reduce bureaucratic inefficiency.
    • President Trump launched a 10-to-1 deregulation initiative, ensuring every new rule is justified by clear benefits.
    • President Trump authorized buyout programs to encourage federal employees to leave voluntarily.
    • Through these actions, President Trump is keeping his promise to restore efficiency and accountability in the Federal Government.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: White House Announces Revolutionary Federal Procurement Overhaul

    Source: The White House

    Washington, D.C. – Today, President Trump announced a first-of-its-kind overhaul of Federal procurement policy in order to increase competition and efficiency while decreasing costs. The Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) within the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) will conduct a sweeping review and rewrite of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR).

    As the world’s largest buyer, spending almost $1 trillion annually on procurement contracts, the Federal Government should be promoting agility, competition, and results. Instead, our procurement process, after decades of regulatory buildup, does the exact opposite. It benefits ineffective and entrenched vendors who can afford massive compliance costs at the expense of every other potential vendor.

    Led by OFPP, the FAR Council will rewrite the FAR in plain English, eliminate non-statutory and duplicative regulations, remove DEI and wokeness, and add buyer guides in place of burdensome and outdated requirements. The Federal Government will no longer procure useless and wasteful products like paper straws. It will focus on results above all else – the best products and services at the best cost.

    The current FAR is over 2,000 pages long with nearly 3,000 complex and costly directives for potential vendors. These byzantine regulations have created a bureaucratic maze that stifle innovation, snuff out competition, and drive up costs.

    A transaction that takes days for a normal business takes months or years for the Federal Government, and costs much more. Buyers and vendors alike spend more time navigating this bureaucratic maze than on delivering the best products and value for the taxpayer. In one case, a mission-support contract was delayed nearly two years after a public comment triggered multiple cascading legal reviews and procedural challenges that resulted  in no real change to the acquisition strategy. Too often layered reviews and rigid compliance block progress and fail to meet the government’s needs.

    Under President Trump’s leadership, those days are over. This long-overdue Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) will ensure a faster acquisition cycle, lower barriers to entry for small businesses, startups, and other new entrants, and eliminate wasteful bureaucratic bloat.

    “This RFO will reduce more than 40 years of bureaucratic buildup that will unleash our procurement system with generational change and results. We are Making America Great Again,” said OMB Senior Advisor Kevin Rhodes. To complement the RFO, a brand-new website will bring an unprecedented level of transparency to the procurement process, so that any member of industry or the general public can stay informed on regulatory updates, buyer guides, and the overall process. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Restoring Common Sense to Federal Procurement

    Source: The White House

    class=”has-text-align-left”>By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered: 

    Section 1.  Purpose.  The Federal Government is the largest buyer of goods and services in the world –- yet conducting business with the Federal Government is often prohibitively inefficient and costly.  More than 40 years ago, the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) was implemented to establish uniform procedures for acquisitions across executive departments and agencies (agencies).  The “vision” of the Federal Acquisition System, codified at section 1.102 of the FAR, is to “deliver on a timely basis the best value product or service to the customer, while maintaining the public’s trust and fulfilling public policy objectives[,]” but since its inception, the FAR has swelled to more than 2,000 pages of regulations, evolving into an excessive and overcomplicated regulatory framework and resulting in an onerous bureaucracy. 
    Federal procurement under the FAR receives consistently negative assessments regarding its efficiency.  Comprehensive studies such as the 2024 Senate committee report entitled “Restoring Freedom’s Forge” and the 2019 report by the Advisory Panel on Streamlining and Codifying Acquisition Regulations, created by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (Public Law 114-92) and made up of experts in acquisition and procurement policy, conclude that the FAR is a barrier to, rather than a prudent vehicle for, doing business with the Federal Government.  Its harmful effects permeate various items paid for by American taxpayers, from commercial products like laptops and office supplies to major defense weapons systems.  The management and expenditure of nearly $1 trillion annually in procurements cannot continue on this trajectory.  Fortunately, its inadequacies are self-inflicted and can be remedied through a comprehensive reform of the FAR.  
    Executive Order 14192 of January 31, 2025 (Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation), established that the policy of the executive branch is to be prudent and financially responsible in the expenditure of funds and to alleviate unnecessary regulatory burdens placed on the American people.  Reforming the FAR will advance this objective.

    Sec. 2.  Policy.  It is the policy of the United States to create the most agile, effective, and efficient procurement system possible.  Removing undue barriers, such as unnecessary regulations, while simultaneously allowing for the expansion of the national and defense industrial bases is paramount.  Accordingly, the FAR should contain only provisions required by statute or essential to sound procurement, and any FAR provisions that do not advance these objectives should be removed.

    Sec. 3.  Definitions.  (a)  “FAR” means the Federal Acquisition Regulation codified at title 48 of the Code of Federal Regulations. 
    (b)  “Administrator” refers to the Administrator of the Office of Federal Public Procurement Policy.
    (c)  “Agency” means an executive department, a military department, or any independent establishment within the meaning of 5 U.S.C. 101, 102, and 104(1), respectively, and any wholly owned Government corporation within the meaning of 31 U.S.C. 9101.

    Sec. 4.  Reforming the Federal Acquisition Regulation.  Within 180 days of the date of this order, the Administrator, in coordination with the other members of the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council (FAR Council), the heads of agencies, and appropriate senior acquisition and procurement officials from agencies, shall take appropriate actions to amend the FAR to ensure that it contains only provisions that are required by statute or that are otherwise necessary to support simplicity and usability, strengthen the efficacy of the procurement system, or protect economic or national security interests.

    Sec. 5.  Aligning Agency Supplements to the FAR.
    (a)  Within 15 days of the date of this order, each agency exercising procurement authority pursuant to the FAR shall designate a senior acquisition or procurement official to work with the Administrator and the FAR Council to ensure agency alignment with FAR reform and to provide recommendations regarding any agency-specific supplemental regulations to the FAR.  The Administrator, the FAR Council, and each agency designee under this subsection shall collaborate to identify and appropriately address FAR provisions that are inconsistent with the policy objectives described in section 2 of this order.   
    (b)  Within 20 days of the date of this order, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, in consultation with the Administrator, shall issue a memorandum to agencies that provides guidance regarding implementation of this order.  That memorandum shall ensure consistency and alignment of policy objectives and implementation regarding changes to the FAR and agencies’ supplemental regulations to the FAR.  
    (c)  The memorandum issued pursuant to subsection (b) of this section shall propose new agency supplemental regulations and internal guidance that promote expedited and streamlined acquisitions.  With respect to such proposals, the Administrator shall direct the appropriate agency and its subordinate agencies to adhere to the ten-for-one requirement described in Executive Order 14192. 
    (d)  The Administrator and the FAR Council shall issue deviation and interim guidance, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, until final rules reforming the FAR are published.

    Sec. 6.  Regulatory Sunset.  In amending the FAR under section 4 of this order, the Administrator, in coordination with the FAR Council, shall:
    (a)  identify all FAR provisions not required by statute that will remain in the FAR;
    (b)  consider amending the FAR such that any provisions identified in accordance with subsection (a) of this section will expire 4 years after the effective date of the final rule promulgated in accordance with section 4 of this order unless renewed by the FAR Council; and
    (c)  consider whether any new FAR provision not required by statute that is promulgated after the effective date of the final rule promulgated in accordance with subsection (b) of this section should include a provision stating that it will expire 4 years after its effective date unless renewed by the FAR Council.

    Sec. 7.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
    (i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the head thereof; or
    (ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
    (b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
    (c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
     
     
     
    THE WHITE HOUSE,
        April 15, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Lowering Drug Prices by Once Again Putting Americans First

    Source: The White House

    class=”has-text-align-left”>By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:

    Section 1.  Purpose.  My first term included numerous significant actions, including some of the most aggressive in recent history, to deliver lower prescription drug prices to American patients.  The message was clear:  no longer would the executive branch sit idly by as pharmaceutical manufacturers charged patients in our Nation more than those in other countries for the exact same prescription drugs, often made in the exact same places.

    These actions included encouraging the development of generic and biosimilar alternatives to higher cost brand name prescription drugs and biologics to harness competitive forces and increase access to affordable medicines.  The United States also, for the first time, established a pathway to expand access to lower cost drugs imported from outside of the country.  Reform efforts ensured that Government-mandated discounts were passed through to patients instead of being retained by middlemen.  New price transparency rules were promulgated to allow patients, doctors, and employers to see the actual cost of prescription drugs before purchase.  Insulin copayments were capped for Medicare beneficiaries, and manufacturers, instead of patients and taxpayers, were forced to foot the bill through the provision of larger discounts.  I also called on the Congress to come to the table to help craft sustainable solutions that would promote innovation and affordable access for the long-term.  When the Congress refused, I proposed the test of an innovative new payment mechanism that would prevent drug manufacturers from charging our patients much higher prices than those found abroad.
    Combined, these bold actions were delivering real savings for American patients and set the foundation to dramatically narrow the price disparity between the United States and foreign nations over time.
    Unsurprisingly, the Biden Administration reversed, walked back, or neglected many of these initiatives, undoing the progress made for American patients.  The Biden Administration then signed into law the misnamed Inflation Reduction Act, which included the Medicare Prescription Drug Negotiation Program.  While this program has the commendable goal of reducing the drug prices Medicare and its beneficiaries pay, its administratively complex and expensive regime has thus far produced much lower savings than projected.  Further, accompanying changes to the Medicare Part D program led to inflated premiums and diminished coverage choices for seniors, prompting a taxpayer-funded bailout of insurance companies offering Part D plans.  Finally, the program imposes price controls on small molecule prescription drugs, usually in tablet or capsule form, 4 years earlier than on large molecule biological products.  Known as the “pill penalty,” this discrepancy threatens to distort innovation by pushing investment towards expensive biological products, which are often indicated to treat rarer diseases, and away from small molecule prescription drugs, which are generally cheaper and treat larger patient populations.
    The American people deserve better.  It is time to restore the progress our Nation made in my first term to deliver lower prescription drug prices by putting Americans first and making America healthy again.

    Sec. 2.  Policy.  It is the policy of the United States that Federal health care programs, intellectual property protections, and safety regulations are optimized to provide access to prescription drugs at lower costs to American patients and taxpayers.

    Sec. 3.  Improving upon the Inflation Reduction Act.  (a)  Within 60 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (Secretary), consistent with sections 1191 to 1198 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320f-1320f-7) and other applicable law, shall propose and seek comment on guidance for the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program for initial price applicability year 2028 and manufacturer effectuation of maximum fair price under such program in 2026, 2027, and 2028.  The guidance shall improve the transparency of the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program, prioritize the selection of prescription drugs with high costs to the Medicare program, and minimize any negative impacts of the maximum fair price on pharmaceutical innovation within the United States.
    (b)  Within 180 days of the date of this order, the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, in coordination with the Secretary, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB Director), and the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, shall provide recommendations to the President on how best to stabilize and reduce Medicare Part D premiums.
    (c)  The Secretary shall work with the Congress to modify the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program to align the treatment of small molecule prescription drugs with that of biological products, ending the distortion that undermines relative investment in small molecule prescription drugs, coupled with other reforms to prevent any increase in overall costs to Medicare and its beneficiaries.

    Sec. 4.  Reducing the Prices of High-Cost Drugs for Seniors.  Within 1 year of the date of this order, the Secretary shall take appropriate steps to develop and implement a rulemaking plan and select for testing, consistent with 42 U.S.C. 1315a(b)(2), a payment model to improve the ability of the Medicare program to obtain better value for high-cost prescription drugs and biological products covered by Medicare, including those not subject to the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program.

    Sec. 5.  Appropriately Accounting for Acquisition Costs of Drugs in Medicare.  Within 180 days of the date of this order, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, the Secretary shall publish in theFederal Register a plan to conduct a survey under section 1833(t)(14)(D)(ii) of the Social Security Act to determine the hospital acquisition cost for covered outpatient drugs at hospital outpatient departments.  Following the conclusion of this survey, the Secretary shall consider and propose any appropriate adjustments that would align Medicare payment with the cost of acquisition, consistent with the budget neutrality requirement in section 1833(t)(9)(B) of the Social Security Act and other legal requirements.

    Sec. 6.  Promoting Innovation, Value, and Enhanced Oversight in Medicaid Drug Payment.  Within 180 days of the date of this order, the OMB Director, the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, and the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, in coordination with the Secretary, shall jointly provide recommendations to the President on how best to ensure that manufacturers pay accurate Medicaid drug rebates consistent with section 1927 of the Social Security Act, promote innovation in Medicaid drug payment methodologies, link payments for drugs to the value obtained, and support States in managing drug spending.

    Sec. 7.  Access to Affordable Life-Saving Medications.  Within 90 days of the date of this order, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, the Secretary shall take action to ensure future grants available under section 330(e) of the Public Health Service Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 254b(e), are conditioned upon health centers establishing practices to make insulin and injectable epinephrine available at or below the discounted price paid by the health center grantee or sub-grantee under the 340B Prescription Drug Program (plus a minimal administration fee) to individuals with low incomes, as determined by the Secretary, who:
    (a)  have a high cost-sharing requirement for either insulin or injectable epinephrine;
    (b)  have a high unmet deductible; or
    (c)  have no healthcare insurance.

    Sec. 8.  Reevaluating the Role of Middlemen.  Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, in coordination with the Secretary, the OMB Director, and the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, shall provide recommendations to the President on how best to promote a more competitive, efficient, transparent, and resilient pharmaceutical value chain that delivers lower drug prices for Americans.

    Sec. 9. Accelerating Competition for High-Cost Prescription Drugs.  Within 180 days of the date of this order, the Secretary, through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, shall issue a report providing administrative and legislative recommendations to:
    (a)  accelerate approval of generics, biosimilars, combination products, and second-in-class brand name medications; and
    (b)  improve the process through which prescription drugs can be reclassified as over-the-counter medications, including recommendations to optimally identify prescription drugs that can be safely provided to patients over the counter.

    Sec. 10.  Increasing Prescription Drug Importation to Lower Prices.  Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary, through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, shall take steps to streamline and improve the Importation Program under section 804 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to make it easier for States to obtain approval without sacrificing safety or quality.

    Sec. 11.  Reducing Costly Care for Seniors.  Within 180 days of the date of this order, the Secretary shall evaluate and, if appropriate and consistent with applicable law, propose regulations to ensure that payment within the Medicare program is not encouraging a shift in drug administration volume away from less costly physician office settings to more expensive hospital outpatient departments.

    Sec. 12.  Improving Transparency into Pharmacy Benefit Manager Fee Disclosure.  Within 180 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Labor shall propose regulations pursuant to section 408(b)(2)(B) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to improve employer health plan fiduciary transparency into the direct and indirect compensation received by pharmacy benefit managers.

    Sec. 13.  Combating Anti-Competitive Behavior by Prescription Drug Manufacturers.  Within 180 days of the date of this order, the Secretary or his designee shall conduct joint public listening sessions with the appropriate personnel from the Department of Justice, the Department of Commerce, and the Federal Trade Commission and issue a report with recommendations to reduce anti-competitive behavior from pharmaceutical manufacturers.

    Sec. 14.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

    (i.) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

    (ii.) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

      (b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
      (c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

                                     DONALD J. TRUMP

      THE WHITE HOUSE,
          April 15, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Ensuring National Security and Economic Resilience Through Section 232 Actions on Processed Critical Minerals and Derivative Products

    Source: The White House

    By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1862) (the “Act”), it is hereby ordered:

         Section 1.  Policy.  A strong national defense depends on a robust economy and price stability, a resilient manufacturing and defense industrial base, and secure domestic supply chains.  Critical minerals, including rare earth elements, in the form of processed minerals are essential raw materials and critical production inputs required for economic and national security.  Critical mineral oxides, oxalates, salts, and metals (processed critical minerals), as well as their derivative products — the manufactured goods incorporating them — are similarly foundational to United States national security and defense.

         But processed critical minerals and their derivative products face significant global supply chain vulnerabilities and market distortions due to reliance on a small number of foreign suppliers.  These vulnerabilities and distortions have led to significant United States import dependencies.  The dependence of the United States on imports and the vulnerability of our supply chains raises the potential for risks to national security, defense readiness, price stability, and economic prosperity and resilience.

         Processed critical minerals and their derivative products are essential for economic security and resilience because they underpin key industries, drive technological innovation, and support critical infrastructure vital for a modern American economy.  They are key building blocks of our manufacturing base and foundational to sectors ranging from transportation and energy to telecommunications and advanced manufacturing.  These economic sectors are, moreover, foundational to America’s national security.

         Processed critical minerals and their derivative products are essential for national security because they are foundational to military infrastructure, energy infrastructure, and advanced defense systems and technologies.  They are key building blocks of our defense industrial base and integral to applications such as jet engines, missile guidance systems, advanced computing, radar systems, advanced optics, and secure communications equipment.

         The United States manufacturing and defense industrial bases remain dependent on foreign sources for processed critical mineral products.  Many of these foreign sources are at risk of serious, sustained, and long-term supply chain shocks.  Should the United States lose access to processed critical minerals from foreign sources, the United States commercial and defense manufacturing base for derivative products could face significant shortages and an inability to meet demand. 

         Associated risks arise from a variety of factors.  First, global supply chains are prone to disruption from geopolitical tensions, wars, natural disasters, pandemics, and trade conflicts.

        Second, major global foreign producers of processed critical minerals have engaged in widespread price manipulation, overcapacity, arbitrary export restrictions, and the exploitation of their supply chain dominance to distort world markets and thereby gain geopolitical and economic leverage over the United States and other competitors that depend on processed critical minerals to manufacture derivative products essential to their economic and national security and national defense. Therefore, the import dependence of the United States on processed critical minerals from foreign sources may pose a serious national security risk to the United States economy and defense preparedness.

         Third, the risks arising from America’s import dependence on processed critical minerals also extend to derivative products that are integral to the United States economy and economic and national security. 

         For the United States to manufacture derivative products, it must have ready access to an affordable, resilient, and sustainable supply of processed critical minerals.  Simultaneously, a resilient and sustainable manufacturing base for derivative products is vital to creating a stable demand base for processed critical minerals.  Both must coexist to ensure economic stability and national security.

         Finally, overreliance on a small number of geographic regions amplifies the risks posed by geopolitical instability and regional disruptions.

         In light of the above risks and realities, an investigation under section 232 of the Act (section 232) is necessary to determine whether imports of processed critical minerals and their derivative products threaten to impair national security. 

         Sec. 2.  Definitions.  As used in this order:
            (a)  The term “critical minerals” means those minerals included in the “Critical Minerals List” published by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) pursuant to section 7002(c) of the Energy Act of 2020 (30 U.S.C. 1606) at 87 FR 10381, or any subsequent such list.  The term “critical minerals” also includes uranium.
            (b)  The term “rare earth elements” means the 17 elements identified as rare earth elements by the Department of Energy (DOE) in the April 2020 publication titled “Critical Materials Rare Earths Supply Chain.”  The term also includes any additional elements that either the USGS or DOE determines in any subsequent official report or publication should be considered rare earth elements.
            (c)  The term “processed critical minerals” refers to critical minerals that have undergone the activities that occur after critical mineral ore is extracted from a mine up through its conversion into a metal, metal powder or a master alloy.  These activities specifically occur beginning from the point at which ores are converted into oxide concentrates; separated into oxides; and converted into metals, metal powders, and master alloys. 
            (d)  The term “derivative products” includes all goods that incorporate processed critical minerals as inputs.  These goods include semi-finished goods (such as semiconductor wafers, anodes, and cathodes) as well as final products (such as permanent magnets, motors, electric vehicles, batteries, smartphones, microprocessors, radar systems, wind turbines and their components, and advanced optical devices).

         Sec. 3.  Section 232 Investigation.  (a)  The Secretary of Commerce shall initiate an investigation under section 232 to determine the effects on national security of imports of processed critical minerals and their derivative products.
         (b)  In conducting the investigation described in subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary of Commerce shall assess the factors set forth in 19 U.S.C. 1862(d), labeled “Domestic production for national defense; impact of foreign competition on economic welfare of domestic industries,” as well as other relevant factors, including:
                 (i)    identification of United States imports of all processed critical minerals and derivative products incorporating such processed critical minerals;
                 (ii)   the foreign sources by percent and volume of all processed critical mineral imports and derivative product imports, the specific types of risks that may be associated with each source by country, and those source countries deemed to be of significant risk;
                (iii)  an analysis of the distortive effects of the predatory economic, pricing, and market manipulation strategies and practices used by countries that process critical minerals that are exported to the United States, including the distortive effects on domestic investment and the viability of United States production, as well as an assessment of how such strategies and practices permit such countries to maintain their control over the critical minerals processing sector and distort United States market prices for derivative products;
                 (iv)   an analysis of the demand for processed critical minerals by manufacturers of derivative products in the United States and globally, including an assessment of the extent to which such manufacturers’ demand for processed critical minerals originates from countries identified under subsections (b)(ii) and (b)(iii) of this section;
                 (v)    a review and risk assessment of global supply chains for processed critical minerals and their derivative products;
                 (vi)   an analysis of the current and potential capabilities of the United States to process critical minerals and their derivative products; and
                 (vii)  the dollar value of the current level of imports of all processed critical minerals and derivative products by total value and country of export.
         (c)  The Secretary of Commerce shall, consistent with applicable law, proceed expeditiously in conducting the investigation as follows:
                 (i)    Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Commerce shall submit for internal review and comment a draft interim report to the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Defense, the United States Trade Representative, the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, and the Senior Counselor to the President for Trade and Manufacturing.
                 (ii)   Comments to the Secretary of Commerce from the officials identified in subsection (c)(i) of this section shall be provided within 15 days of submission of the draft interim report described in subsection (c)(i) of this section.
                 (iii)  The Secretary of Commerce shall submit a final report and recommendations to the President within 180 days of the investigation’s commencement.
         (d)  In considering whether to make recommendations for action or inaction pursuant to section 232(b) of the Act (19 U.S.C. 1862(b)), the Secretary of Commerce shall consider:
                 (i)    the imposition of tariffs as well as other import restrictions and their appropriate levels;
                 (ii)   safeguards to avoid circumvention and any weakening of the section 232 measures;
                 (iii)  policies to incentivize domestic production, processing, and recycling; and
                 (iv)   any additional measures that may be warranted to mitigate United States national security risks, as appropriate, under the President’s authority pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.).

         Sec. 4.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
                 (i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
                 (ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
         (b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
         (c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

                                  DONALD J. TRUMP

    THE WHITE HOUSE
        April 15, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Restoring Common Sense to Federal Office Space Management

    Source: The White House

    class=”has-text-align-left”>By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:

    Section 1.  Purpose.  The American people are spread across more than 3.8 million square miles in urban, suburban, and rural areas.  To provide the highest quality services in an efficient and cost-effective manner, executive departments and agencies (agencies) must be where the people are.
    President Carter signed Executive Order 12072 of August 16, 1978 (Federal Space Management), ordering the Federal Government to prioritize central business districts when siting Federal facilities in urban areas.  Intended to improve these districts, President Carter’s order has instead prevented agencies from relocating to lower-cost facilities.
    Building on Executive Order 12072, President Clinton signed Executive Order 13006 of May 21, 1996 (Locating Federal Facilities on Historic Properties in Our Nation’s Central Cities), to encourage agencies to locate their facilities in historic properties and districts, especially when located in central business areas.  Much like President Carter’s order, President Clinton’s order failed to adequately prioritize efficient and effective Government service.
    Revoking these orders will restore common sense to Federal office space management by freeing agencies to select cost-effective facilities and focus on successfully carrying out their missions for American taxpayers.

    Sec. 2.  Revoking Executive Orders.  (a)  Executive Order 12072 is hereby revoked.
    (b)  Executive Order 13006 is hereby revoked.
    (c)  The Administrator of General Services is directed to initiate the process to amend the regulations at title 41, parts 102-79 and 102-83, Code of Federal Regulations, and to take any other steps necessary in accordance with applicable law to conform Federal office space management policy with this order.
    (d) Agencies that acquire or utilize federally owned or leased space under authority other than the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (40 U.S.C. 101 et seq.), as amended, shall conform to the provisions of this order to the extent consistent with applicable law.

    Sec. 3.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
    (i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
    (ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
    (b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
    (c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

                                   DONALD J. TRUMP

    THE WHITE HOUSE,
        April 15, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Restores Common Sense to Federal Procurement

    Source: The White House

    MODERNIZING THE PROCUREMENT SYSTEM: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order restoring common sense to Federal procurement by dramatically simplifying the process.

    • The Order directs his administration to simplify and streamline the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), which governs Federal procurement, to ensure it contains only provisions required by statute or essential to efficient, secure, and cost-effective procurement.
    • Agencies exercising procurement authority must ensure agency-specific regulations align with the streamlined FAR.
    • The Order mandates the issuance of interim guidance, as needed, to support reform until the final rules reforming the FAR are published.
    • A regulatory sunset provision will be considered that would result in non-statutory FAR provisions expiring after four years unless renewed.

    ELIMINATING BARRIERS TO DOING BUSINESS WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT: President Trump wants to create the most agile, effective, and efficient procurement system possible.

    • The Federal Government is the largest buyer of goods and services in the world, spending nearly $1 trillion annually, yet conducting business with the Federal Government is often prohibitively inefficient and costly given the regulatory complexity.
    • Since its inception over 40 years ago, the FAR has ballooned to more than 2,000 pages of regulations, creating an onerous bureaucracy that undermines timely delivery of high-value products and services.
    • Studies have consistently found that the FAR is a barrier to, rather than a prudent vehicle for, doing business with the Federal Government.
    • By reforming the FAR, President Trump is reducing bureaucratic hurdles, empowering all businesses to compete for government contracts, and ensuring taxpayer dollars deliver maximum value.

    RECLAIMING EFFICIENCY FOR THE AMERICAN TAXPAYER: President Trump is working to simplify the Federal Government and free the American people from excessive regulations and bureaucracy.

    • President Trump launched a 10-to-1 deregulation initiative, ensuring every new Federal rule is justified by clear benefits and accompanied by much larger deregulatory measures.
    • At every step, President Trump is promoting the use of commercial options, letting the market drive innovation and deliver high-quality, cost-effective solutions to meet government needs.
    • President Trump established the “Department of Government Efficiency” to examine how to streamline the operations of the Federal Government, eliminate unnecessary programs and wasteful spending, and reduce bureaucratic inefficiency.
    • President Trump has already reduced unnecessarily large governmental entities and terminated numerous harmful Biden expansions of governmental authority.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Fact Sheet: President Trump Brings Permitting Technology Into the 21st Century for Government Efficiency

    Source: The White House

    MODERNIZING PERMITTING TECHNOLOGY: Today, President Donald J. Trump issued a memorandum to ensure the Federal government is leveraging modern technology to effectively and efficiently conduct environmental reviews and evaluate permits.

    • The Presidential Memorandum directs Federal agencies to make maximum use of technology in the environmental review and permitting processes for infrastructure projects of all kinds.
    • The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), in consultation with the National Energy Dominance Council (NEDC) and relevant permitting agencies, will issue a Permitting Technology Action Plan to guide agencies as they use technology to digitize permit applications, expedite reviews, enhance interagency coordination on projects, and give sponsors more transparency and predictability on project permitting schedules.
    • CEQ will also establish and lead a Permitting Innovation Center to assist Federal agencies as they adopt new software and automate application and review processes, including to coordinate agencies in this effort.
    • This will also help agencies share information with state and tribal officials to make those permitting processes easier for project sponsors.

    ELIMINATING UNCERTAINTY: President Trump recognizes the environmental review and permitting process has been burdened by a lack of transparency and outdated technology.

    • The current environmental review and permitting process in the United States is inefficient, unpredictable, and counterproductive to the growth of the American economy and other infrastructure projects that benefit the American people.
    • Projects often involve multiple Federal agencies with overlapping statutory requirements, and expanding the use of modern technology in the environmental review and permitting process will improve coordination and reduce duplicative efforts by both Federal agencies and project applicants.
    • The actual time to complete many infrastructure projects, when measured from project inception to in-service date, can be a decade or more.

    RESTORING AMERICAN PROSPERITY:  Environmental review and permitting reform is a top priority for the Trump Administration and this action will accelerate the process, improve the transparency and predictability of project timelines, and eliminate unnecessary delays holding back the growth of the American economy. 

    • As part of his America First agenda, President Trump promised to Make America Affordable and Energy Dominant Again by streamlining environmental reviews and permitting decisions.
    • This memorandum builds on President Trump’s Day One Executive Order Unleashing American Energy, which includes provisions to expedite and simplify the environmental review and permitting process, and return our Nation to energy dominance.
      • In response to the President’s Executive Order, the CEQ published an interim final rule to rescind its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations. Rescinding this regulation removes a burdensome layer of bureaucracy, creating a clear path for agencies to expeditiously reform their own NEPA procedures and allow America to build again.
      • This action to return CEQ to a consulting body, combined with the implementation of modern permitting technology, will enable better interagency coordination, resulting in the greatest and fastest permitting reform ever to take place in the decades-long history of NEPA.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Enforces Requirement of Cost-Effective Commercial Solutions in Federal Contracts

    Source: The White House

    ENFORCING COST-EFFECTIVE PROCUREMENT: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to enforce existing law requiring the Federal Government to utilize the competitive marketplace and the innovations of private enterprise to provide better, more-cost-effective services to the taxpayer.

    • The Order directs the administration to prioritize the procurement of commercially available products and services, as required by the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act of 1994 (FASA), rather than non-commercial, custom products or services.
    • It calls for agency contracting officers to review all pending contracts for non-commercial products or services within 60 days and submit proposed waivers justifying their necessity.
      • The waivers must include market research and price analysis to demonstrate why commercial solutions cannot meet the government’s needs.
    • It directs agencies to submit reports to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) within 120 days and annually thereafter detailing compliance with FASA and progress on implementing the Order’s policies.
    • The Order establishes that waivers for non-commercial procurements must be reviewed and approved or denied in writing.

    CURBING WASTEFUL EXPENDITURES: President Trump is eliminating unnecessary and imprudent expenditures of taxpayer dollars by requiring government procurement of existing commercial products and services where possible.

    • Previous administrations evaded statutory requirements and abused the federal contracting framework by procuring custom products and services where a suitable or superior commercial solution would fulfill the Government’s needs.
    • This overreliance on custom items increased government spending and caused costly delays to the detriment of American taxpayers.
    • Federal agencies are wasting taxpayer dollars on non-commercial solutions that fail to leverage the efficiency and competitiveness of the private-sector marketplace.
    • For example, with respect to IT procurement, a 2019 report found that the Federal government could have saved an estimated $345 billion over the last 25 years if it had abided by FASA and purchased more commercial off-the-shelf IT solutions, rather than building systems from scratch.

    PROMOTING COMMERCIAL SOLUTIONS AND STREAMLINING ACQUISITIONS: President Trump is ensuring government procurement delivers better value to American taxpayers.

    • President Trump previously signed an Executive Order to modernize defense acquisitions, including a preference for commercial solutions.
    • President Trump also signed an Executive Order consolidating certain federal procurement in the General Services Administration in order to eliminate waste, inefficiencies, and duplication.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Ensures National Security and Economic Resilience Through Section 232 Actions on Processed Critical Minerals and Derivative Products

    Source: The White House

    BOLSTERING AMERICA’S CRITICAL MINERALS FUTURE: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order launching an investigation into the national security risks posed by U.S. reliance on imported processed critical minerals and their derivative products.

    • The Order directs the Secretary of Commerce to initiate a Section 232 investigation under the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to evaluate the impact of imports of these materials on America’s security and resilience.
    • This investigation will assess vulnerabilities in supply chains, the economic impact of foreign market distortions, and potential trade remedies to ensure a secure and sustainable domestic supply of these essential materials.
    • The investigation will culminate in a report detailing risks and providing recommendations to strengthen domestic production, reduce dependence on foreign suppliers, and enhance economic and national security.
    • If the Secretary of Commerce submits a report finding that imports of critical-mineral articles threaten to impair national security and the President decides to impose tariffs, any resulting tariff rate imposed under Section 232 would take the place of the current reciprocal tariff rate, pursuant to President Trump’s April 2 order.

    COUNTERING THREATS TO NATIONAL SECURITY AND ECONOMIC STABILITY: President Trump recognizes that an overreliance on foreign critical minerals and their derivative products could jeopardize U.S. defense capabilities, infrastructure development, and technological innovation.

    • Critical minerals, including rare earth elements, are essential for national security and economic resilience.
      • Processed critical minerals and their derivative products are key building blocks of our defense industrial base and integral to applications such as jet engines, missile guidance systems, advanced computing, radar systems, advanced optics, and secure communications equipment.
    • The United States remains heavily dependent on foreign sources, particularly adversarial nations, for these essential materials, exposing the economy and defense sector to supply chain disruptions and economic coercion.
    • Foreign producers have engaged in price manipulation, overcapacity, and arbitrary export restrictions, using their supply chain dominance as a tool for geopolitical and economic leverage over the United States.
    • A few months ago, China banned exports to the United States of gallium, germanium, antimony, and other key high-tech materials with potential military applications.  
    • Just this week, China suspended exports of six heavy rare earth metals, as well as rare earth magnets, in order to choke off supplies of components central to automakers, aerospace manufacturers, semiconductor companies and military contractors around the world.

    STRENGTHENING AMERICAN INDUSTRY: This Executive Order builds on previous actions taken by the Trump Administration to ensure U.S. trade policy serves the nation’s long-term interests.

    • On Day One, President Trump initiated his America First Trade Policy to make America’s economy great again.
    • On Liberation Day, President Trump imposed a 10% tariff on all countries and individualized reciprocal higher tariffs on nations with which the U.S. has the largest trade deficits in order to level the playing field and protect America’s national security.
      • More than 75 countries have already reached out to discuss new trade deals.
      • As a result, the individualized higher tariffs are currently paused amid these discussions, except for China, which retaliated.
      • China now faces up to a 245% tariff on imports to the United States as a result of its retaliatory actions.  
    • President Trump signed proclamations to close existing loopholes and exemptions to restore a true 25% tariff on steel and elevate the tariff to 25% on aluminum.
    • President Trump unveiled the “Fair and Reciprocal Plan” on trade to restore fairness in U.S. trade relationships and counter non-reciprocal trade agreements.   
    • President Trump signed a memorandum to safeguard American innovation, including the consideration of tariffs to combat digital service taxes (DSTs), fines, practices, and policies that foreign governments levy on American companies.
    • President Trump signed similar Executive Orders launching investigations into how imports of copper and imports of timber, lumber, and their derivative products threaten America’s national security and economic stability.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Announces Actions to Lower Prescription Drug Prices

    Source: The White House

    LOWERING PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICES: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to expand on the historic efforts of his first term to lower prescription drug prices.

    • The Order directs the Department of Health and Human Services to take steps to significantly reduce drug prices for American patients.
    • It delivers lower drug prices for Medicare and the seniors who rely on it by:
      • Improving the Medicare Drug Pricing Negotiation Program in order to eclipse the 22% in savings achieved in the program’s first year.
      • Aligning Medicare payment for certain prescription drugs with the cost by which hospitals actually acquire them, which can be 35% lower than what the government currently pays.
      • Standardizing Medicare payments for prescription drugs, such as cancer treatments, regardless of where the patient receives care, which can lower prices by as much as 60%.
    • It provides massive discounts to low-income patients for life-saving medications.
      • Insulin prices for low-income patients and the uninsured will be lowered to as low as $0.03, plus a small administrative fee.
      • Injectable epinephrine for low-income patients and the uninsured will be as low as $15, plus a small administrative fee.
    • The Order helps states reduce drug prices by:
      • Facilitating importation programs that could save states millions in prescription drug costs.
      • Building off programs to help states get much better deals on expensive sickle-cell medications in Medicaid than the statutorily required 23.1% discount.

    BRINGING RADICAL TRANSPARENCY AND COMPETITION TO PRESCRIPTION DRUG MARKETS: President Trump is dedicated to creating a transparent, competitive, and fair prescription drug market for American consumers.

    • President Trump has already taken numerous actions to end the practice of large corporations profiting by keeping health care prices and business practices hidden from Americans.
    • The Order increases the availability of generics and biosimilars, which can be as much as 80% cheaper than brand alternatives.
    • The Order builds off that critical work and reevaluates the role of middlemen by:
      • Improving disclosure of fees that pharmaceutical benefit managers (PBMs) pay to brokers for steering employers to utilize their services.
      • Directing the administration to develop reforms to promote a more competitive, transparent, efficient, and resilient prescription drug value chain.
    • By addressing the influence of middlemen and promoting open competition, President Trump’s actions aim to create a fairer prescription drug market that lowers costs and ensures accountability across the health care system.

    PUTTING AMERICAN PATIENTS FIRST ONCE AGAIN: President Trump is delivering on his promise to once again put American patients first by building off of the historic efforts of his first term to lower prescription drug prices.

    • In his first term, President Trump took numerous actions that delivered real results for patients:
      • The Food and Drug Administration sped up development of lower-cost generic medicines and biosimilars as well as created a pathway for states to import lower cost drugs from Canada.
      • Government-mandated discounts were passed through to patients instead of being retained by middlemen.
      • Price transparency rules were developed to allow patients, doctors, and employers to see the actual cost of prescription drugs.
      • Insulin copays were capped for Medicare beneficiaries.
    • Unsurprisingly, the Biden-Harris Administration let many of these priorities languish while failing to even achieve the savings projected from the new Medicare Prescription Drug Negotiation Program.
    • President Trump will not stand for inaction, and his Administration is working rapidly to lower the cost of prescription drugs for Americans.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: “Sanctuary” Policies Put Accused Killer Back on the Streets

    Source: The White House

    So-called “sanctuary” jurisdictions endanger the lives of the Americans who live there.

    The latest example comes in Prince George’s County, Maryland, where an illegal immigrant was arrested, charged with murder and assault, then released back onto the streets despite an ICE immigration detainer request — a result of the county’s insane “sanctuary” policies.

    Fortunately, ICE eventually arrested the illegal immigrant and he’ll soon be on his way back to Guatemala.

    The negligence of leftist politicians is putting lives at risk.

    • In 2019, then-Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks — now a U.S. Senator — bragged about “not participating in immigration enforcement” and claimed in 2024 that immigration enforcement “should not be the responsibility of local governments.”
    • In 2019, then-Prince George’s County Council Member Deni Taveras — now a member of the Maryland House of Delegates — said “there is an incredible amount of fear” about immigration enforcement.
    • Acting Prince George’s County Executive Tara Jackson said: “The Prince George’s County Police Department does not engage in federal immigration enforcement actions … Our focus is on ensuring public safety and building trust with all members of our community, regardless of their immigration status.”
    • Maryland State Del. Nicole Williams (D-Prince George’s) introduced a bill to ban local law enforcement agencies from cooperating with ICE: “People would not feel safe in terms of reporting actual crime that is taking place within their communities.”
    • Maryland State Sen. Alonzo Washington (D-Prince George’s) said local law enforcement should not be enforcing immigration laws: “We’re going to build a better relationship with our immigrant community so we know exactly who they are and we can protect them.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Statement from the White House

    Source: The White House

    class=”has-text-align-center”>“U.S. Special Presidential Envoy Steven Witkoff, accompanied by U.S. Ambassador to Oman Ana Escrogima, conducted talks today in Muscat with Iranian Foreign Minister Dr. Abbas Araghchi, which were hosted by Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi. The discussions were very positive and constructive, and the United States deeply thanks the Sultanate of Oman for its support of this initiative. Special Envoy Witkoff underscored to Dr. Araghchi that he had instructions from President Trump to resolve our two nations’ differences through dialogue and diplomacy, if that is possible. These issues are very complicated, and Special Envoy Witkoff’s direct communication today was a step forward in achieving a mutually beneficial outcome. The sides agreed to meet again next Saturday.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: The State of Play: Why President Trump’s Tariffs Are Necessary

    Source: The White House

    It’s cliché, yet true — the definition of insanity is repeating the same thing over and expecting a different result.

    The trade policies of the past several decades have failed this nation, its workers, and our communities.

    Twenty years ago, The New York Times Editorial Board responded to the January 2005 trade deficit of $58.3 billion by writing an editorial entitled “Dangerous deficits.” Deficits are certainly dangerous; former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker said trade deficits were to blame for the Great Recession.

    The Times wrote in 2005: “At $58.3 billion, the U.S. trade deficit for January exceeded everyone’s worst expectations… The trade deficit is the single most important factor in measuring the extent to which the United States lives beyond its means.”

    Since then, our trade deficit has more than DOUBLED. The U.S. trade deficit in January totaled a whopping $131.4 billion.

    The impact has been seen everywhere.

    Since 1990, manufacturing employment has decreased by 59% in New York and decreased by 35% in Ohio.

    The loss of these jobs killed innocent Americans and destroyed towns. Multiple studies show the loss of jobs due to bad trade deals led to an increase in drug overdoses.

    However, liberal commentators have lost interest in fixing this problem. In fact, they are offended at the suggestion that industry should return to America.

    Chris Matthews was inexplicably stunned on MSNBC and asked, “What are we going to do? Have more lumber made in the United States now!?” Yes, we are. President Donald J. Trump even signed an executive order to expand American timber production.

    Likewise, Nia Malika-Henderson on CNN ridiculously asked, “Is it worth it to upend the global economy for HVAC jobs?” Apparently, Nia Malika-Henderson thinks preserving low-wage jobs in China is more important than creating high-wage jobs in America.

    The loss of American industry means we struggle to build ships, medicine, and other essential goods. This is a national security emergency.

    Fortunately, we are already seeing progress in reshoring American industry. President Trump remains undeterred in his mission to Make America Wealthy Again.

    • Guardian Bikes announced it is launching the “first large-scale bicycle frame manufacturing operation in the United States.”
    • Novartis announced “it plans to spend $23 billion to build and expand 10 facilities in the U.S.”
    • Chocolate maker Barry Callebaut announced it is increasing its U.S.-based production.
    • JSW Steel announced it will be adding jobs at its Ohio steel plant.
    • BMW is considering adding shifts to boost production at its South Carolina plant.
    • Apple announced a $500 billion investment in U.S. manufacturing and training.
    • Nvidia announced it will invest hundreds of billions of dollars over the next four years in U.S.-based manufacturing.
    • Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) announced a $100 billion investment in U.S.-based chips manufacturing.
    • Eli Lilly and Company announced a $27 billion investment in domestic manufacturing.
    • United Arab Emirates-based DAMAC Properties announced a $20 billion investment in new U.S.-based data centers.
    • France-based CMA CGM, a global shipping giant, announced a $20 billion investment in U.S. shipping and logistics, creating 10,000 new jobs.
    • United Arab Emirates-based ADQ and U.S.-based Energy Capital Partners announced a $25 billion investment in U.S. data centers and energy infrastructure.
    • South Korean automaker Hyundai announced a $20 billion investment — including $5.8 billion for a new steel plant in Louisiana, which will create nearly 1,500 jobs, amid their pledge to “further localize production in the U.S.”
    • Merck announced it will invest $8 billion in the U.S. over the next several years after opening a new $1 billion North Carolina manufacturing facility.
    • Clarios announced a $6 billion plan to expand its domestic manufacturing operations.
    • GE Aerospace announced a $1 billion investment in manufacturing across 16 states — creating 5,000 new jobs.
    • Stellantis announced a $5 billion investment in its U.S. manufacturing network — including re-opening an Illinois manufacturing plant — as it pledges to increase domestic vehicle production.
    • Schneider Electric announced it will invest $700 million over the next four years in U.S. energy infrastructure.
    • GE Vernova announced it will invest nearly $600 million in U.S. manufacturing over the next two years, which will create more than 1,500 new jobs.
    • London-based Diageo announced a $415 million investment in a new Alabama manufacturing facility.
    • Dublin-based Eaton Corporation announced a $340 million investment in a new South Carolina-based manufacturing facility for its three-phase transformers.
    • Germany-based Siemens announced a $285 million investment in U.S. manufacturing and AI data centers, which will create more than 900 new skilled manufacturing jobs.
    • Paris Baguette announced a $160 million investment to construct a manufacturing plant in Texas.
    • Switzerland-based ABB announced a $120 million investment to expand production of its low-voltage electrification products in Tennessee and Mississippi.
    • Saica Group, a Spain-based corrugated packaging maker, announced plans to build a $110 million new manufacturing facility in Anderson, Indiana.
    • Paris-based Saint-Gobain announced a new $40 million NorPro manufacturing facility in Wheatfield, New York.
    • India-based Sygene International announced a $36.5 million acquisition of a Baltimore biologics manufacturing facility.
    • Asahi Group Holdings, one of the largest Japanese beverage makers, announced a $35 million investment to boost production at its Wisconsin plant.
    • Honda is expected to produce its next-generation Civic hybrid model in Indiana.
    • Nissan is considering moving production from Mexico to the U.S.
    • Rolls-Royce is expected to shift production to the U.S. and expand its domestic workforce.
    • Volkswagen is considering shifting production of the high-end Audi and Porsche brands to the U.S.
    • Volvo is considering expanding its U.S.-based output.
    • LG is considering moving its refrigerator manufacturing from Mexico to Tennessee.
    • Italian spirits group Campari is “assessing the opportunities to expand its production in the U.S.”
    • Swedish hygiene product manufacturer Essity is considering shifting production to the U.S.
    • Taiwan-based Compal Electronics is considering a U.S.-based expansion.
    • Taiwan-based Inventec is expected to expand its manufacturing operations into Texas.
    • LVMH, a French luxury giant, is “seriously considering” an expansion to its U.S.-based production capabilities.
    • Cra-Z-Art, the biggest toymaker in the U.S., said it will move a “large percentage” of its China-based manufacturing back home.
    • Prepac, a Canadian furniture manufacturer, announced it will move production from Canada to the U.S.
    • Lear is considering moving its production to the U.S.
    • Half of Japanese companies say they’ll boost U.S. investment, largely due to tariffs.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: TRUMP EFFECT: Americans See First Price Relief in Years

    Source: The White House

    After today’s inflation report showed the first consumer price decline in years, a decrease in energy prices, and real average hourly wage growth, one thing is clear: President Donald J. Trump’s economic agenda is delivering for Americans.

    Here’s what they’re saying:

    Council of Economic Advisers Chair Stephen Miran: “That core inflation print, on an annual basis, was the lowest core inflation print since March of 2021, so President Trump’s policies are working at keeping inflation at bay, keeping inflation down. Between that and what’s going on with trade — America is back.”

    Economist E.J. Antoni, Ph.D.: “This is truly remarkable: Average annual inflation rate from ‘09 until ‘21 was 1.8%, then Biden drove it up to 8.6% for a year and a half, then it rose steadily at 3.1% for the rest of his term; but now Trump is averaging a mere 1.0% -remarkable!”

    CNBC’s Rick Santelli: “We were expecting the exact opposite … These are definitely low numbers!”

    CNN’s Matt Egan: “This was actually a drop of .1% — that’s the first time we’ve seen that since COVID. Year-over-year, the annual inflation rate was at 2.4%. This was also better than expected and a 6-month low, moving in the right direction.”

    USA Today: “Inflation eased more than expected to a five-month low in March as gasoline and used car prices tumbled and rent increases softened further…”

    Axios: “Inflation was notably cooler than expected in March: The overall Consumer Price Index dropped as energy prices plummeted, while the core measure that excludes food and energy rose just slightly.”

    Bloomberg: “Inflation came in notably weaker than expected for last month, with the headline CPI falling 0.1% — thanks in part to a tumble in gasoline prices. None of the 67 forecasters in Bloomberg’s survey had predicted a drop.”

    CNN: “Inflation slowed sharply in March, new data showed Thursday, underscoring the continued strength and resilience of the economy ahead of President Trump’s aggressive trade moves.”

    Associated Press: “U.S. inflation declined last month as the cost of gas, airline fares, and hotel rooms fell, a sign that price growth was cooling even as President Donald Trump ramped up his tariff threats.”

    The Wall Street Journal: “Consumer prices declined month-over-month in March for the first time in nearly five years, a welcome development for inflation-weary consumers…”

    Breitbart: “U.S. consumer prices fell in March, pushed down by a decline in the price of goods and defying predictions that President Trump’s tariff plans would push up prices. This was the first drop in consumer prices in nearly three years and only the second decline since inflation accelerated under Joe Biden to the worst rates in decades.”

    The Washington Post: “Inflation cooled significantly in March amid a drop in energy and transportation prices, giving consumers a bit of a break”

    The Daily Caller: “Trump Notches Win As Inflation Eases More Than Expected In March”

    NBC News: “The pace of price hikes for airfare, car insurance, used vehicles and recreation all eased in March.”

    CBS News: “Consumer price growth cooled in March as the White House prepared far-reaching global tariffs, with a key inflation measure falling to its lowest level since March 2021 … On a monthly basis, prices actually fell 0.1% in March, the first monthly drop in nearly five years.”

    CNBC: “Consumer price inflation eased more than expected in March as President Donald Trump prepared to launch tariffs against U.S. trading partners”

    Reuters: “US consumer prices post first decline in nearly five years”

    Barron’s: “Inflation Cools More Than Expected”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Modifying Reciprocal Tariff Rates to Reflect Trading Partner Retaliation and Alignment

    Source: The White House

    By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (IEEPA), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2483), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, I hereby determine and order:

    Section. 1.  Background.  In Executive Order 14257 of April 2, 2025 (Regulating Imports With a Reciprocal Tariff to Rectify Trade Practices that Contribute to Large and Persistent Annual United States Goods Trade Deficits), I declared a national emergency arising from conditions reflected in large and persistent annual U.S. goods trade deficits, and imposed additional ad valorem duties that I deemed necessary and appropriate to deal with that unusual and extraordinary threat, which has its source in whole or substantial part outside the United States, to the national security and economy of the United States.  Section 4(b) of Executive Order 14257 provided that “[s]hould any trading partner retaliate against the United States in response to this action through import duties on U.S. exports or other measures, I may further modify the [Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States] to increase or expand in scope the duties imposed under this order to ensure the efficacy of this action.” 

    In the Executive Order dated April 8, 2025 (Amendment to Reciprocal Tariffs and Updated Duties As Applied to Low-Value Imports from the People’s Republic of China), pursuant to section 4(b) of Executive Order 14257, I ordered modification of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) to raise the applicable ad valorem duty rate for imports from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) established in Executive Order 14257, in recognition of the fact that the PRC announced that it would retaliate against the United States in response to Executive Order 14257.

    On April 9, 2025, the State Council Tariff Commission of the PRC announced that, in response to the Executive Order dated April 8, 2025, an 84 percent tariff would be imposed on all goods imported into the PRC originating from the United States, effective at 12:01 a.m. on April 10, 2025.  Pursuant to section 4(b) of Executive Order 14257, I have determined that it is necessary and appropriate to address the national emergency declared in that order by modifying the HTSUS and taking other actions to increase the duties imposed on the PRC in response to this latest retaliation.  In my judgment, this modification is necessary and appropriate to effectively address the threat to U.S. national and economic security posed by the PRC’s contribution to the conditions reflected in large and persistent trade deficits, including PRC industrial policies that have produced systemic excess manufacturing capacity in the PRC and suppressed U.S. domestic manufacturing capacity, which conditions are made worse by the PRC’s recent actions.

    Section 4(c) of Executive Order 14257 provided that, “[s]hould any trading partner take significant steps to remedy non-reciprocal trade arrangements and align sufficiently with the United States on economic and national security matters, I may further modify the HTSUS to decrease or limit in scope the duties imposed under this order.”  Since I signed Executive Order 14257, in contrast to the PRC’s actions, more than 75 other foreign trading partners, including countries enumerated in Annex I to Executive Order 14257, have approached the United States to address the lack of trade reciprocity in our economic relationships and our resulting national and economic security concerns.  This is a significant step by these countries toward remedying non-reciprocal trade arrangements and aligning sufficiently with the United States on economic and national security matters.

    Pursuant to section 4(c) of Executive Order 14257, I have determined that it is necessary and appropriate to address the national emergency declared in that order by modifying the HTSUS to temporarily suspend, for a period of 90 days, except with respect to the PRC, application of the individual ad valorem duties imposed for foreign trading partners listed in Annex I to Executive Order 14257, and to instead impose on articles of all such trading partners an additional ad valorem rate of duty as set forth herein, pursuant to the terms of, and except as otherwise provided in, Executive Order 14257, as modified by this order. 

    Sec. 2. Suspension of Country-Specific Ad Valorem Rates of Duty.  Effective with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on April 10, 2025, enforcement of the second paragraph of section 3(a) of Executive Order 14257 is suspended until 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on July 9, 2025.  Effective at 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on April 10, 2025, and until 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on July 9, 2025, all articles imported into the customs territory of the United States from the trading partners enumerated in Annex I to Executive Order 14257 shall be, consistent with law, subject to an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 10 percent, subject to all applicable exceptions set forth in Executive Order 14257. 

    Sec. 3.  Tariff Modifications.  In recognition of the fact that the PRC has announced that it will retaliate again against the United States in response to the Executive Order dated April 8, 2025, which amended Executive Order 14257, and in recognition of the sincere intentions by many other trading partners to facilitate a resolution to the national emergency declared in Executive Order 14257, the HTSUS shall be modified as follows:

    Effective with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on April 10, 2025: 

    (a)  heading 9903.01.25 of the HTSUS shall be amended by deleting the article description and by inserting “Articles the product of any country, except for products described in headings 9903.01.26-9903.01.33, and except as provided for in heading 9903.01.34, and except for articles the product of China, including Hong Kong and Macau, as described in heading 9903.01.63 that are entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on April 10, 2025, and that were not in transit on the final mode of transit prior to 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on April 10, 2025, as provided for in subdivision (v) of U.S. note 2 to this subchapter . . . . . . .” in lieu thereof;

    (b) heading 9903.01.63 of the HTSUS shall be amended by deleting “84%” each place that it appears and by inserting “125%” in lieu thereof, and by deleting “April 9, 2025,” and by inserting “April 10, 2025” in lieu thereof;

    (c) subdivision (v)(xiii)(10) of U.S. note 2 to subchapter III of chapter 99 of the HTSUS shall be amended by deleting “84%”, and inserting “125%” in lieu thereof, and subdivision (v)(xiii) of U.S. note 2 to subchapter III of chapter 99 of the HTSUS shall be amended by deleting “April 9, 2025,” and by inserting “April 10, 2025,” in lieu thereof; and

    (d) headings 9903.01.43-9903.01.62 and 9903.01.64-9903.01.76 are hereby suspended, and subdivisions (v)(xiii)(i)-(ix) and (xi)-(lvii) of U.S. note 2 to subchapter III of chapter 99 of the HTSUS are hereby suspended for a period of 90 days beginning at 12:01 a.m. on April 10, 2025.

    Sec. 4. De Minimis Tariff Increase.  To ensure that the imposition of tariffs pursuant to section 3 of this order is not circumvented and that the purpose of Executive Order 14257, as modified by the Executive Order dated April 8, 2025, and this order are not undermined, I also deem it necessary and appropriate to: 

    (a)  increase the ad valorem rate of duty set forth in section 2(c)(i) of Executive Order 14256 of April 2, 2025 (Further Amendment to Duties Addressing the Synthetic Opioid Supply Chain in the People’s Republic of China as Applied to Low-Value Imports), as modified by the Executive Order dated April 8, 2025, from 90 percent to 120 percent;

    (b)  increase the per postal item containing goods duty in section 2(c)(ii) of Executive Order 14256, as modified by the Executive Order dated April 8, 2025, that is in effect on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on May 2, 2025, and before 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on June 1, 2025, from 75 dollars to 100 dollars; and

    (c)  increase the per postal item containing goods duty in section 2(c)(ii) of Executive Order 14256, as modified by the Executive Order dated April 8, 2025, that is in effect on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on June 1, 2025, from 150 dollars to 200 dollars.

    Sec. 5. Implementation.  The Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the United States Trade Representative, as applicable, in consultation with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, the Senior Counselor for Trade and Manufacturing, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, and the Chair of the International Trade Commission, are directed to take all necessary actions to implement and effectuate this order, consistent with applicable law, including through temporary suspension or amendment of regulations or notices in the Federal Register and adopting rules and regulations, and are authorized to take such actions, and to employ all powers granted to the President by IEEPA, as may be necessary to implement this order.  Each executive department and agency shall take all appropriate measures within its authority to implement this order.

    Sec. 6.  General Provisions. (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

    (i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the head thereof; or

    (ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

    (b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

    (c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

    DONALD J. TRUMP

    THE WHITE HOUSE,

        April 9, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: America Is Back — But Inflation Is Not

    Source: The White House

    Today’s new Consumer Price Index reveals inflation fell to 2.4% in March, smashing expectations for the second straight month — and the first drop in consumer prices in several years.

    CNN’s coverage noted: “This was actually a DROP of .1% — that’s the first time we’ve seen that since COVID. Year-over-year, the annual inflation rate was at 2.4%. This was also better than expected and a six-month low, moving in the right direction.”

    Under President Trump, America is back — but inflation is not.

    President Trump is making good on his promise to deliver lower costs for Americans, with prices for everyday goods seeing across-the-board declines.

    • Prescription drug prices saw the largest monthly decline on record.
    • Prices for airfare, used vehicles, and car insurance all decreased.
    • Energy prices fell 2.4% in March, driven by plummeting gas prices across the country.

    As President Trump pursues the largest tax cuts in history, an unprecedented deregulatory agenda, and a manufacturing boom, the American economy is poised to prosper like never before.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance

    Source: The White House

    By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:

    Section 1.  Purpose.  The commercial shipbuilding capacity and maritime workforce of the United States has been weakened by decades of Government neglect, leading to the decline of a once strong industrial base while simultaneously empowering our adversaries and eroding United States national security.  Both our allies and our strategic competitors produce ships for a fraction of the cost needed in the United States.  Recent data shows that the United States constructs less than one percent of commercial ships globally, while the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is responsible for producing approximately half.
    Rectifying these issues requires a comprehensive approach that includes securing consistent, predictable, and durable Federal funding, making United States-flagged and built vessels commercially competitive in international commerce, rebuilding America’s maritime manufacturing capabilities (the Maritime Industrial Base), and expanding and strengthening the recruitment, training, and retention of the relevant workforce.

    Sec. 2.  Policy.  It is the policy of the United States to revitalize and rebuild domestic maritime industries and workforce to promote national security and economic prosperity.

    Sec. 3.  Maritime Action Plan.  (a)  Within 210 days of the date of this order, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (APNSA), in coordination with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Transportation, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the United States Trade Representative (USTR), and the heads of executive departments and agencies (agencies) the APNSA deems appropriate, shall submit a Maritime Action Plan (MAP) to the President, through the APNSA and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB Director) to achieve the policy set forth in this order.
    (b)  The OMB Director, in coordination with the APNSA, shall be responsible for all legislative, regulatory, and fiscal assessments related to the MAP.  
    (c)  The MAP shall, to the extent permissible and consistent with applicable law, including the Buy American Act (41 U.S.C. 8301–8305), reflect actions taken pursuant to sections 4 through 21 of this order.

    Sec. 4.  Ensure the Security and Resilience of the Maritime Industrial Base.  Within 180 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Transportation, and the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall provide to the APNSA and the OMB Director for inclusion in the MAP an assessment of options both for the use of available authorities and resources, such as Defense Production Act Title III authorities, and for the use of private capital to the maximum extent possible to invest in and expand the Maritime Industrial Base including, but not limited to, investment and expansion of commercial and defense shipbuilding capabilities, component supply chains, ship repair and marine transportation capabilities, port infrastructure, and the adjacent workforce.  The Secretary of Defense shall pursue using the Office of Strategic Capital loan program to improve the shipbuilding industrial base.  As part of their assessment, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Transportation, and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall:
    (a)  identify key maritime components in the supply chain that are essential for rebuilding and expanding the Maritime Industrial Base and that should be prioritized for investment;
    (b)  ensure that their recommendations of public and private investments are made according to a clear metric, derived in consultation with the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, of return on invested capital for the United States taxpayer and to the economic and national security of the United States; and
    (c)  ensure that their recommendations take into consideration the projected increases to commercial and defense capabilities, the projected growth in economic activity, and the projected benefits for taxpayers and the workforce.

    Sec. 5. Actions in the Investigation of the PRC’s Unfair Targeting of Maritime, Logistics, and Shipbuilding Sectors. (a)  With respect to the actions, if any, that the USTR determines to take consistent with the USTR’s notice of public hearing entitled Proposed Action in Section 301 Investigation of the PRC’s Targeting of the Maritime, Logistics, and Shipbuilding Sectors for Dominance, 90 Fed. Reg. 10843 (February 27, 2025), the USTR shall:
    (i)   coordinate with appropriate agencies to collect additional information, as appropriate and to the extent permitted by law, in support of administering such actions; and 
    (ii)  coordinate with the Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security to take appropriate steps to enforce any restriction, fee, penalty, or duty imposed pursuant to such actions.
    (b)  Based on the USTR’s determinations arising out of its Section 301 investigation into the PRC’s targeting of the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors, the USTR shall also consider taking all necessary steps permitted by law to propose the following actions:
    (i)   tariffs on ship-to-shore cranes manufactured, assembled, or made using components of PRC origin, or manufactured anywhere in the world by a company owned, controlled, or substantially influenced by a PRC national; and
    (ii)  tariffs on other cargo handling equipment.

    Sec. 6.  Enforce Collection of Harbor Maintenance Fee and Other Charges.  In order to prevent cargo carriers from circumventing the Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF) on imported goods through the practice of making port in Canada or Mexico and sending their cargo into the United States through land borders, and to ensure the collection of other charges as applicable, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall take all necessary steps, including proposing new legislation, as permitted by law to:
    (a)  require all foreign-origin cargo arriving by vessel to clear the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) entry process at a United States port of entry for security and collection of all applicable duties, customs, taxes, fees, interest, and other charges; and
    (b)  ensure any foreign-origin cargo first arriving by vessel to North America clearing the CBP process at an inland location from the country of land transit (Canada or Mexico) is assessed applicable customs, duties, taxes, fees (including the HMF), interest, and other charges plus a 10 percent service fee for additional costs to the CBP, so long as the cargo being shipped into the United States is not substantially transformed from its condition at the time of arrival into the country of land transit (with the discretion for such decisions to be determined by CBP).

    Sec. 7.  Engage Allies and Partners to Align Trade Policies.  Within 90 days of the date of this order, the USTR, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Commerce, shall engage treaty allies, partners, and other like-minded countries around the world with respect to their potential imposition of any actions taken pursuant to sections 5 and 6 of this order.  The USTR shall deliver an engagement plan and progress report on these engagements to the President.

    Sec. 8.  Reduce Dependence on Adversaries through Allies and Partners.  Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, shall recommend to the APNSA and the OMB Director for inclusion in the MAP all available incentives to help shipbuilders domiciled in allied nations partner to undertake capital investment in the United States to help strengthen the shipbuilding capacity of the United States.

    Sec. 9.  Launch a Maritime Security Trust Fund.  In conjunction with the formulation of the President’s Budget, the OMB Director shall, in coordination with the Secretary of Transportation, develop a legislative proposal, which shall be described in detail in the MAP, to establish a Maritime Security Trust Fund that can serve as a reliable funding source to deliver consistent support for MAP programs.  This proposal shall consider how new or existing tariff revenue, fines, fees, or tax revenue could further the goal of establishing a more reliable, dedicated funding source for programs support by the MAP.

    Sec. 10.  Shipbuilding Financial Incentives Program.  In conjunction with the formulation of the President’s Budget and consistent with the findings of the report required under section 12 of this order, the Secretary of Transportation shall submit a legislative proposal to the APNSA and the OMB Director, which shall be described in detail in the MAP, that establishes a financial incentives program with broad flexibility to incentivize private investment in the construction of commercial components, parts, and vessels; capital improvements to commercial vessel shipyards; capital improvements to commercial vessel repair facilities and drydocks through grants; and Federal Credit Reform Act-compliant loans and loan guarantees.  Such proposal may augment or replace existing programs with similar purpose including the Small Shipyard Grant Program and the Federal Ship Financing (Title XI) Program.

    Sec. 11.  Establish Maritime Prosperity Zones.  Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Commerce, in coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Transportation, and the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall deliver a plan to the President through the APNSA for inclusion in the MAP that identifies opportunities to incentivize and facilitate domestic and allied investment in United States maritime industries and waterfront communities through establishment of maritime prosperity zones.  The proposal shall: (a) model these maritime prosperity zones on the opportunity zones established pursuant to section 13823 of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-97, 131 Stat. 2054), which I signed into law during my first Administration;
    (b) include stipulations for appropriate regulatory relief in the establishment of such zones; and
    (c) provide for zones that are outside of traditional coastal shipbuilding and ship repair centers and are geographically diverse, including river regions as well as the Great Lakes.

    Sec. 12.  Report on Maritime Industry Needs.  Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Transportation, in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security and the heads of other agencies as appropriate, shall deliver a report to the OMB Director and APNSA for inclusion in the MAP that inventories Federal programs that could be used to sustain and grow the supply of and demand for the United States maritime industry.  The report and inventory shall include:
    (a)  any Federal programs that provide financial and regulatory incentives for United States shipping, shipbuilding, and shipbuilding supply chains, including the training of shipbuilders and United States-credentialed mariners; 
    (b)  Maritime Administration programs such as the Tanker Security Program, Cable Security Fleet, Maritime Security Programs, Maritime Environmental and Technical Assistance Program, Title XI, Assistance to Small Shipyards, Port Infrastructure Development Program, the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), and programs that support the State Maritime Academies;
    (c)  existing domestic cargo preference laws, including the Military Cargo Preference Act of 1904, as amended, (10 U.S.C. 2631) and the Cargo Preference Act of 1954, as amended, (46 U.S.C. 55304), and whether and how they can be used to ensure that United States cargo is transported on United States-built and flagged vessels, including a review of the existing waiver process and all current waivers to ensure they are consistent with the promotion of American domestic shipping;
    (d)  other available means that could further support the industry, including modifications of existing programs, establishment of new programs, and tax and regulatory relief; and
    (e)  in coordination with the National Security Council and the Office of Management and Budget, the costs and benefits of increased cargo preference rates, including on liquid cargo carriers, tankers, and military useful vessels, and options for increasing cargo preference compliance and directing open market procurement of shipping to meet urgent military needs for maritime vessels.

    Sec. 13.  Expand Mariner Training and Education.  Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Transportation, the Secretary of Education, and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall deliver a report to the President through the APNSA for inclusion in the MAP with recommendations to address workforce challenges in the maritime sector through maritime educational institutions and workforce transitions.  
    (a)  In preparing their report, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Transportation, the Secretary of Education, and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall consult, as needed, with industry stakeholders including private industry and labor organizations. 
    (b)  The report shall:
    (i)    include the current number of credentialed mariners and estimate the additional credentialed mariners required to support the policies described in this order;
    (ii)   analyze the impact of establishing new and expanding existing merchant marine academies as a means of educating, training, and certifying the additional credentialed merchant mariners estimated under subsection (b)(i) of this section;
    (iii)  identify any requirements for credentialing mariners that are unnecessary, insufficient, or unduly burdensome and provide recommendations for reform;
    (iv)   inventory existing educational and technical training grants and scholarships to colleges and vocational-technical training institutions for critical shipbuilding specialties and other maritime studies, and provide recommendations for enhancement; and
    (v)    assess the United States Coast Guard credentialing program applicability to United States Navy Active Duty and Reserve sailors to increase opportunities for sailors to transfer into the Merchant Marine with validated skills.
    (c)  Consistent with the findings of the report and in conjunction with the formulation of the President’s Budget, the Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Transportation, the Secretary of Education, and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall deliver a legislative proposal to the APNSA and the OMB Director that:
    (i)    reflects the recommendations of the report required under this section;
    (ii)   establishes national maritime scholarships to send promising maritime experts abroad to learn cutting edge techniques and subjects, such as innovative maritime logistics, clean fuels and advanced nuclear energy, human-machine teaming, and additive manufacturing and other advanced technologies; and
    (iii)  offers scholarships to maritime experts from allied countries to teach at United States institutions. 

    Sec. 14.  Modernize the United States Merchant Marine Academy.  
    (a) The Secretary of Transportation shall: 
    (i) within 30 days of this order consistent with applicable law and available appropriations, take action to hire the necessary facilities staff and reprogram budgetary resources needed to execute urgent deferred maintenance projects and any other mission critical repair works at the USMMA;
    (ii) take immediate action to finalize a long-term master facilities plan (LMFP) for the modernization of the USMMA campus and submit such plan to the APNSA and OMB Director for concurrence; and
    (iii) within 90 days of the concurrence described in subsection (a)(ii) of this section, in consultation with the Department of Government Efficiency, submit a 5-year capital improvement plan (CIP) consistent with the LMFP to the APNSA and OMB Director that includes capital project budgets, schedules, and sequencing, as well as an inventory of deferred maintenance items necessary to sustain campus operations through completion of the CIP.
    (b) All actions taken pursuant to this section shall be detailed in the MAP.

    Sec. 15.  Improve Procurement Efficiency.  Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Transportation, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Director of the National Science Foundation shall develop a proposal for improved acquisition strategies processes for United States Government vessels and submit such proposal to APNSA and the OMB Director for inclusion in the MAP.  The proposal shall:      (a) have as its objective providing American shipbuilders with market forecasting needed to justify investments in infrastructure, workforce, and intellectual property to meet United States demand;
    (b) include reforms recommended by the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security related to:
    (i) staff structure and innovations in acquisition strategies that will improve Federal vessel procurement; and
    (ii) reductions of the layers of approval needed to execute, build, and improve the vessel acquisition process, including by utilizing commercial acquisition and modular design practices that reduce complexity and prevent frequent changes to ship designs;
    (c) identify for elimination excessive requirements, including the number of Government reviews and onerous regulations that add to ship design and acquisition delays; and
    (d)  consider use of broad industry standards and American-made readily available parts and components to drive up production volume while shrinking the iterative design process, which historically has led to delays and cost increases.  

    Sec. 16.  Improve Government Efficiency.  Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Department of Government Efficiency shall begin a separate review of the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security vessel procurement processes and deliver a proposal to the President, through the APNSA for inclusion in the MAP, to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of these processes.   

    Sec. 17.  Increase the Fleet of Commercial Vessels Trading Internationally under the flag of the United States.  Within 180 days of the date of this order, in conjunction with the formulation of the President’s Budget and consistent with the findings of the report required under section 12 of this section, the Secretary of Transportation shall in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, deliver a legislative proposal to the APNSA and OMB Director for inclusion in the MAP that:
    (a)  is designed to ensure that adequate cubed footage and gross tonnage of United States-flagged commercial vessels can be called upon in times of crisis, while limiting the likelihood of Government waste;
    (b)  provides incentives that will:
    (i)   grow the fleet of United States built, crewed, and flagged vessels that serve as readily deployable assets for national security purposes; and
    (ii)  increase the participation of United States commercial vessels in international trade; and
    (c)  enhances existing subsidies to include coverage of certain construction or modification costs in a manner designed to enhance incentives for the commercial shipping industry to operate militarily useful ships that trade internationally under the flag of the United States.

    Sec. 18.  Ensure the Security and Leadership of Arctic Waterways.  Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall develop a strategy that identifies the vision, goals, and objectives necessary to secure arctic waterways and enable American prosperity in the face of evolving arctic security challenges and associated risks, and deliver it to the APNSA for inclusion in the MAP.

    Sec. 19.  Shipbuilding Review.  Within 45 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Transportation, and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall conduct a review of shipbuilding for United States Government use and submit a report to the President with recommendations to increase the number of participants and competitors within United States shipbuilding, and to reduce cost overruns and production delays for surface, subsurface, and unmanned programs.  This report must include separate itemized and prioritized lists of recommendations for the United States Army, Navy, and Coast Guard and shall be included in the MAP.

    Sec. 20.  Deregulatory Initiatives.  Within 30 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Transportation, and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall conduct a review of their regulations, and implementation thereof, across all components pertaining to the domestic commercial maritime fleet and maritime port access to determine where each agency may be able to deregulate within the framework of Executive Order 14192 of January 31, 2025 (Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation), to reduce unnecessary costs and clear barriers to emerging technology and related efficiencies.  Each agency will submit a report of its findings to the OMB Director and to the APNSA for inclusion in the MAP.

    Sec. 21.  Inactive Reserve Fleet.  Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Defense shall conduct a review and issue guidance on the funding, retention, support, and mobilization of a robust inactive reserve fleet.  This review and guidance shall be delivered to the APNSA for inclusion in the MAP. 

    Sec. 22.  Coordination.  Unless otherwise specified in this order, the plans, reports, reviews, and recommendations that are required to be submitted to the President by this order shall be developed through interagency coordination in accordance with National Security Presidential Memorandum 1 of January 20, 2025 (Organization of the National Security Council and Subcommittees), or its successors.

    Sec. 23.  Severability.  If any provision of this order, or the application of any provision to any person or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this order and the application of its provisions to any other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.

    Sec. 24.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
    (i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
    (ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
    (b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
    (c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

    THE WHITE HOUSE,
        April 9, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Addressing Risks from Susman Godfrey

    Source: The White House

    By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:

    Section 1.  Background.  Lawyers and law firms that engage in activities detrimental to critical American interests should not have access to our Nation’s secrets, nor should their conduct be subsidized by Federal taxpayer funds or contracts.  My Administration must also take appropriate and necessary measures to guard against the actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest that arise when the Government funds, engages with, or otherwise devotes resources to law firms and their clients that engage in conduct undermining critical American interests and priorities.
    I have determined that action is necessary to address the significant risks, egregious conduct, and conflicts of interest associated with Susman Godfrey LLP (Susman).  Susman spearheads efforts to weaponize the American legal system and degrade the quality of American elections.  Susman also funds groups that engage in dangerous efforts to undermine the effectiveness of the United States military through the injection of political and radical ideology, and it supports efforts to discriminate on the basis of race.
    Susman itself engages in unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race.  For example, Susman administers a program where it offers financial awards and employment opportunities only to “students of color.” My Administration is committed to ending such unlawful discrimination perpetrated in the name of “diversity, equity, and inclusion” policies and ensuring that Federal benefits support the laws and policies of the United States, including those laws and policies promoting our national security and respecting the democratic process.  Those who engage in blatant discrimination and other activities inconsistent with the interests of the United States should not have access to our Nation’s secrets nor be deemed responsible stewards of any Federal funds.

    Sec. 2.  Security Clearance Review.  (a)  The Attorney General, the Director of National Intelligence, and all other relevant heads of executive departments and agencies (agencies) shall immediately take steps consistent with applicable law to suspend any active security clearances held by individuals at Susman, pending a review of whether such clearances are consistent with the national interest. 
    (b)  The Office of Management and Budget shall identify all Government goods, property, material, and services, including Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities, provided for the benefit of Susman.  The heads of agencies providing such material or services shall, to the extent permitted by law, expeditiously cease such provision. 

    Sec. 3.  Contracting.  (a)  To prevent the transfer of taxpayer dollars to Federal contractors whose earnings subsidize, among other things, activities that are not aligned with American interests, including racial discrimination, Government contracting agencies shall, to the extent permissible by law, require Government contractors to disclose any business they do with Susman and whether that business is related to the subject of the Government contract. 
    (b)  The heads of agencies shall review all contracts with Susman or with entities that disclose doing business with Susman under subsection (a) of this section.  To the extent permitted by law, the heads of agencies shall:
    (i)   take appropriate steps to terminate any contract, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, including the Federal Acquisition Regulation, for which Susman has been hired to perform any service; and
    (ii)  otherwise align their agency funding decisions with the interests of the citizens of the United States; with the goals and priorities of my Administration as expressed in executive actions, especially Executive Order 14147 of January 20, 2025 (Ending the Weaponization of the Federal Government); and as heads of agencies deem appropriate.  Within 30 days of the date of this order, agencies shall submit to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget an assessment of contracts with Susman or with entities that do business with Susman effective as of the date of this order and any actions taken with respect to those contracts in accordance with this order. 

    Sec. 4.  Racial Discrimination.  Nothing in this order shall be construed to limit the action authorized by section 4 of Executive Order 14230 of March 6, 2025 (Addressing Risks from Perkins Coie LLP).  

    Sec. 5.  Personnel.  (a)  The heads of agencies shall, to the extent permitted by law, provide guidance limiting official access from Federal Government buildings to employees of Susman when such access would threaten the national security of or otherwise be inconsistent with the interests of the United States.  In addition, the heads of agencies shall provide guidance limiting Government employees acting in their official capacity from engaging with Susman employees to ensure consistency with the national security and other interests of the United States.
    (b)  Agency officials shall, to the extent permitted by law, refrain from hiring employees of Susman, absent a waiver from the head of the agency, made in consultation with the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, that such hire will not threaten the national security of the United States. 

    Sec. 6.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
    (i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
    (ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
    (b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
    (c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

    THE WHITE HOUSE,
        April 9, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Modernizing Defense Acquisitions and Spurring Innovation in the Defense Industrial Base

    Source: The White House

    By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:

    Section 1.  Purpose.  As Chief Executive and Commander in Chief, I am committed to ensuring that the United States military possesses the most lethal warfighting capabilities in the world.  America’s defense industrial base is central to this effort.  Similarly, the defense acquisition workforce is a national strategic asset that will be decisive in any conflict, where the factory floor can be just as significant as the battlefield.
    Unfortunately, after years of misplaced priorities and poor management, our defense acquisition system does not provide the speed and flexibility our Armed Forces need to have decisive advantages in the future.  In order to strengthen our military edge, America must deliver state‐of‐the‐art capabilities at speed and scale through a comprehensive overhaul of this system.

    Sec. 2.  Policy.  It is the policy of the United States Government to accelerate defense procurement and revitalize the defense industrial base to restore peace through strength.  To achieve this, the United States will rapidly reform our antiquated defense acquisition processes with an emphasis on speed, flexibility, and execution.  We will also modernize the duties and composition of the defense acquisition workforce, as well as incentivize and reward risk-taking and innovation from these personnel.

    Sec. 3.  Acquisition Process Reform.  Within 60 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the President a plan to reform the Department of Defense’s acquisition processes that, to the maximum extent possible, incorporates the following:
    (a)  Utilization of existing authorities to expedite acquisitions throughout the Department of Defense, including a first preference for commercial solutions and a general preference for Other Transactions Authority, application of Rapid Capabilities Office policies, or any other authorities or pathways to promote streamlined acquisitions under the Adaptative Acquisition Framework.  Starting upon issuance of this order, and during the formation of the plan, the Secretary of Defense shall prioritize use of these authorities in all pending Department of Defense contracting actions and require their application, where appropriate and consistent with applicable law, for all Department of Defense contracting actions pursued while the plan directed by this section is under consideration. 
    (b)  A detailed process review of each functional support role within the acquisition workforce to eliminate unnecessary tasks, reduce duplicative approvals, and centralize decision-making.  These reviews should also include evaluations of program managers, contracting officers, engineering authorities, financial managers, cost estimators, and logisticians.
    (c)  A detailed process by which the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Service Acquisition Executives, and Component Acquisition Executives can effectively manage risk for all acquisition programs through a formal steering board known as a Configuration Steering Board. 

    Sec. 4.  Internal Regulations Review.  The Secretary of Defense shall oversee the review of and, as appropriate, propose revisions to relevant Department of Defense instructions, implementation guides, manuals, and regulations relating to acquisition to: 
    (a)  Eliminate or revise any unnecessary supplemental regulations or any other internal guidance, such as relevant parts of the Financial Management Regulation and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement.
    (b)  Promote expedited and streamlined acquisitions.  Where new supplemental regulations or internal guidance is proposed, the Secretary of Defense shall apply the ten-for-one rule as described in Executive Order 14192 of January 31, 2025 (Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation).

    Sec. 5.  Acquisition Workforce Reform.  Within 120 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of the Navy, the Secretary of the Air Force, and Component Acquisition Executives, shall develop and submit to the President a plan for consideration to reform, right-size, and train the acquisition workforce that includes the following components:
    (a)  The restructuring of performance evaluation metrics for acquisition workforce members to include the ability to demonstrate and apply a first consideration of commercial solutions, adaptive acquisition pathways through the Adaptive Acquisition Framework, and iterative requirements based on the perspective of the end user.
    (b)  An analysis of acquisition workforce staff levels required to develop, deliver, and sustain warfighting capabilities.   
    (c)  The establishment of field training teams by the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, led by senior acquisition executives or managers with expertise in innovative acquisition authorities and commercial solutions, and modeled after field training teams authorized by section 832 of Public Law 118-159 (10 U.S.C. 1749).  These teams should provide hands-on guidance, deliver templates and case studies of successful approaches for implementing innovative acquisition authorities, and should assist integrated functional program teams in completing acquisition and sustainment tasks.
    (d)  The development and implementation of policies, procedures, and tools to incentivize acquisition officials to, in good faith, utilize innovative acquisition authorities and take measured and calculated risks.

    Sec. 6.  Major Defense Acquisition Program Review.  (a)  Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Defense, acting through the Deputy Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of the Navy, the Secretary of the Air Force, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, and Component Acquisition Executives, shall complete a comprehensive review of all major defense acquisition programs (MDAPs), as defined in section 4201 of title 10, United States Code, to determine if any such programs are inconsistent with the policy objectives set forth in section 2 of this order.  As part of the review of all MDAPs:
    (i)   any program more than 15 percent behind schedule based on the current Acquisition Program Baseline (APB), 15 percent over cost based on the current APB, unable to meet any key performance parameters, or unaligned with the Secretary of Defense’s mission priorities, will be considered for potential cancellation.  The Secretary of Defense shall submit the potential cancellation list to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for future budget determinations.
    (ii)  the Secretary of Defense shall provide a listing of all MDAPs contracts, along with performance against original and approved Government cost estimates to the Director of OMB for review within 90 days from the date of this order.
    (b)  Following this comprehensive review of MDAPs, the Secretary of Defense shall provide the Director of OMB with a plan for reviewing all remaining major systems, as defined in section 3041 of title 10, United States Code, that are not MDAPs.

    Sec. 7.  Requirements.  The Secretary of Defense, acting through the Deputy Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of the Navy, the Secretary of the Air Force, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, shall complete a comprehensive review of the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System within 180 days of the date of this order, with the goal of streamlining and accelerating acquisition.

    Sec. 8.  Definitions.  For purposes of this order:
    (a)  The term “Adaptive Acquisition Framework” means the series of acquisition pathways that enable the workforce to deliver “effective, suitable, survivable, sustainable, and affordable solutions to the end user in a timely manner,” as stated in Department of Defense Instruction 5000.02. 
    (b)  The term “Acquisition Program Baseline” means the formally established cost, schedule, and performance baselines of a program, as described in Department of Defense Instruction 5000.85.
    (c)  The term “commercial solutions” means any of the methods for procurement of a commercial product or service described in part 12 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, subpart 212.2 of the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement, or subpart 212.70 of the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; or other industry solutions funded by private investment that meet military needs.  
    (d)  The term “Configuration Steering Board” means an annual review of potential requirements changes, critical intelligence parameter changes, and any significant technical configuration changes as described in Department of Defense Instruction 5000.85.
    (e)  The term “innovative acquisition authorities” means Other Transactions Authority, commercial solutions, application of Rapid Capabilities Office policies, or any other authorities or pathways to promote streamlined acquisitions under the Adaptive Acquisition Framework. 
    (f)  The term “Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System” means the formally established Department of Defense process used to identify, assess, and prioritize joint military capability requirements across the Department of Defense.
    (g)  The term “Other Transactions Authority” means the ability of the United States Government to enter into contracts other than standard contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements.
    (h)  The term “Rapid Capabilities Office” means the Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office, Naval Air Warfare Rapid Capabilities Office, Department of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, or Space Force Rapid Capabilities Office. 

    Sec. 9.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
    (i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
    (ii)  the functions of the Director of OMB relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
    (b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
    (c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

    THE WHITE HOUSE,
        April 9, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Addressing Risks from Chris Krebs and Government Censorship

    Source: The White House

    class=”has-text-align-center”> MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES

    The Federal Government has a constitutional duty and a moral responsibility to respect and promote the free speech rights of Americans. Yet in recent years, elitist leaders in Government have unlawfully censored speech and weaponized their undeserved influence to silence perceived political opponents and advance their preferred, and often erroneous, narrative about significant matters of public debate. These disgraceful actions have taken the form of coercive threats against the private sector — including major social media platforms — to suppress conservative or dissenting voices and distort public opinion. Much of this censorship took place during a Presidential election with the apparent purpose of undermining the free exchange of ideas and debate.

    Christopher Krebs, the former head of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), is a significant bad-faith actor who weaponized and abused his Government authority. Krebs’ misconduct involved the censorship of disfavored speech implicating the 2020 election and COVID-19 pandemic. CISA, under Krebs’ leadership, suppressed conservative viewpoints under the guise of combatting supposed disinformation, and recruited and coerced major social media platforms to further its partisan mission. CISA covertly worked to blind the American public to the controversy surrounding Hunter Biden’s laptop. Krebs, through CISA, promoted the censorship of election information, including known risks associated with certain voting practices. Similarly, Krebs, through CISA, falsely and baselessly denied that the 2020 election was rigged and stolen, including by inappropriately and categorically dismissing widespread election malfeasance and serious vulnerabilities with voting machines. Krebs skewed the bona fide debate about COVID-19 by attempting to discredit widely shared views that ran contrary to CISA’s favored perspective.

    Abusive conduct of this sort both violates the First Amendment and erodes trust in Government, thus undermining the strength of our democracy itself. Those who engage in or support such conduct must not have continued access to our Nation’s secrets. Accordingly, I hereby direct the heads of executive department and agencies (agencies) to immediately take steps consistent with existing law to revoke any active security clearance held by Christopher Krebs.

    I further direct the Attorney General, the Director of National Intelligence, and all other relevant agencies to immediately take all action as necessary and consistent with existing law to suspend any active security clearances held by individuals at entities associated with Krebs, including SentinelOne, pending a review of whether such clearances are consistent with the national interest.

    I further direct the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with any other agency head, to take all appropriate action to review Krebs’ activities as a Government employee, including his leadership of CISA. This review should identify any instances where Krebs’ conduct appears to have been contrary to suitability standards for Federal employees, involved the unauthorized dissemination of classified information, or contrary to the purposes and policies identified in Executive Order 14149 of January 20, 2025 (Restoring Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship). As part of that review, I direct a comprehensive evaluation of all of CISA’s activities over the last 6 years, focusing specifically on any instances where CISA’s conduct appears to have been contrary to the purposes and policies identified in Executive Order 14149. Upon completing these reviews, the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall prepare a joint report to be submitted to the President, through the Counsel to the President, with recommendations for appropriate remedial or preventative actions to be taken to fulfill the purposes and policies of Executive Order 14149.

    This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Addressing Risks Associated with an Egregious Leaker and Disseminator of Falsehoods

    Source: The White House

      MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES  

    Miles Taylor was entrusted with the solemn responsibility of Federal service, but instead prioritized his own ambition, personal notoriety, and monetary gain over fidelity to his constitutional oath.  While serving as an administrative staff assistant at the Department of Homeland Security, Taylor stoked dissension by manufacturing sensationalist reports on the existence of a supposed “resistance” within the Federal Government that “vowed” to undermine and render ineffective a sitting President.  He illegally published classified conversations to sell his book under the pseudonym “Anonymous,” which is full of falsehoods and fabricated stories.  In so doing, Taylor abandoned his sacred oath and commitment to public service by disclosing sensitive information obtained through unauthorized methods and betrayed the confidence of those with whom he served.  Where a Government employee improperly discloses sensitive information for the purposes of personal enrichment and undermining our foreign policy, national security, and Government effectiveness –- all ultimately designed to sow chaos and distrust in Government — this conduct could properly be characterized as treasonous and as possibly violating the Espionage Act, and therefore makes such employee ineligible for access to national secrets.

    In his former position, Taylor relied upon various colleagues to facilitate his unethical laundering and release of sensitive Government data to advance his false narratives.  It is therefore against America’s interests to allow those associated with Taylor to access our Nation’s secrets. 

    Accordingly, I direct the Attorney General, the Director of National Intelligence, and all other relevant executive department and agency (agency) heads to immediately take all action as necessary and consistent with existing law to suspend any active security clearances held by Miles Taylor, in addition to individuals at entities associated with Taylor, including the University of Pennsylvania, pending a review of whether such clearances are consistent with the national interest.

    I further direct the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with any other relevant agency heads, to take all appropriate action to review Miles Taylor’s activities as a Government employee.  This review should identify any instances where his conduct appears to have been contrary to suitability standards for Federal employees, and where his conduct appears to have involved the unauthorized dissemination of classified information.  Upon completing this review, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall prepare a report to be submitted to the President, through the Counsel to the President, with recommendations for appropriate remedial or preventative actions to be taken to protect America’s interests.

    This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Reforming Foreign Defense Sales to Improve Speed and Accountability

    Source: The White House

    By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:

    Section 1.  Purpose.  To serve the interests of the American people, the United States must maintain the world’s strongest and most technologically advanced military through a dynamic defense industrial base, coupled with a robust network of capable partners and allies.  A rapid and transparent foreign defense sales system that enables effective defense cooperation between the United States and our chosen partners is foundational to these objectives.  Reforming this system would simultaneously strengthen the security capabilities of our allies and invigorate our own defense industrial base.  This mutually reinforcing approach would enhance United States warfighting capabilities by fostering healthy American supply chains, domestic production levels, and technological development.

    Sec. 2.  Policy.  It is the policy of my Administration to:
    (a) Improve accountability and transparency throughout the foreign defense sales system to ensure predictable and reliable delivery of American products to foreign partners in support of United States foreign policy objectives.
    (b) Consolidate parallel decision-making when determining which military capabilities the United States will choose to provide, and to which countries.
    (c) Reduce rules and regulations involved in the development, execution, and monitoring of foreign defense sales and of transfer cases to ensure alignment with United States foreign policy objectives. 
    (d) Increase government-industry collaboration to achieve cost and schedule efficiencies in the execution of the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.
    (e) Advance United States competitiveness abroad, revitalize the defense industrial base, and lower unit costs for the United States and our allies and partners by integrating exportability features in the design phase, improving financing options for partners, and increasing contract flexibility overall.

    Sec. 3.  Phased Implementation.  (a)  The Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense shall promptly:
    (i)    Implement National Security Presidential Memorandum 10 of April 19, 2018 (United States Conventional Arms Transfer Policy), or any successor policy directive.
    (ii)   Reevaluate restrictions imposed by the Missile Technology Control Regime on Category I items and consider supplying certain partners with specific Category I items, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce.
    (iii)  Submit a joint letter to the Congress proposing an update to statutory congressional certification (also known as congressional notification) thresholds of proposed sales under the FMS and Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) programs in the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.).  The Secretary of State shall also work with the Congress to review congressional notification processes to ensure the timely adjudication of notified FMS and DCS cases. 

    (b)  Within 60 days of the date of this order:
    (i)   The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall develop a list of priority partners for conventional arms transfers and issue updated guidance to Chiefs of the United States Diplomatic Missions regarding this list. 
    (ii)  The Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall:
    (A)  develop a list of priority end-items for potential transfer to priority partners identified by the Secretary of State in the list required by this subsection;
    (B)  ensure the transfer of priority end-items to priority partners would not cause significant harm to United States force readiness; and
    (C)  ensure the transfer of priority end-items to priority partners would advance my Administration’s goal of strengthening allied burden-sharing, both by sharing the cost of end-item production and by increasing our allies’ capacity to meet capability targets independently, without sustained support from the United States.
    (c)(i)  The Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense shall review, update, and reissue the lists of priority partners and military end-items on an annual basis.
    the United States Munitions List, 22 C.F.R. part 121, to focus protections solely on our most sensitive and sophisticated technologies, and shall establish clear criteria for including an item on the FMS-Only List.
    (ii) The Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense shall review and update the list of defense items that can only be purchased through the FMS process (the FMS-Only List) and
    (d)  Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, shall submit a plan to the President, through the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (APNSA), to:  improve the transparency of United States defense sales to foreign partners by developing metrics for accountability; secure exportability as a requirement in the early stages of the acquisition process; and consolidate technology security and foreign disclosure approvals.
    (e)  Within 120 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Defense, with the assistance of the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Commerce, shall submit a plan to the APNSA to develop a single electronic system to track all DCS export license requests and ongoing FMS efforts throughout the case life-cycle.
     

    Sec. 4.  Definitions.  For purposes of this order:

    (a)  “Parallel decision-making” refers to the granting of simultaneous certifications and approvals during the FMS process, as opposed to sequential decision-making where agencies wait for other agencies to make decisions before taking action.
    (b)  “Exportability” means the process to identify, develop, and integrate technology protection features into United States defense systems early in the acquisition process to protect critical technologies, capabilities, and program information and thus enable export to partners.
    (c)  “FMS-only” means defense articles that are exclusively available through the FMS process as opposed to the DCS process, as authorized in the Arms Export Control Act and described in the Security Assistance Management Manual (SAMM), Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), Chapter 4.
    (d)  “End-item” means the final product when assembled and ready for issue or deployment.
    (e)  “Foreign defense sales system” means the enterprise devoted to the transfer of defense articles, services, and training by the United States Government and United States companies to international partners and organizations.
    (f)  All other terms related to FMS cases shall have the meanings given to them by the SAMM, DSCA 5105.38M.

    Sec. 5.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
    (i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
    (ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
    (b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
    (c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    THE WHITE HOUSE,
        April 9, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: ICYMI: President Trump Is “President for Main Street, Not Wall Street”

    Source: The White House

    Last night, President Donald J. Trump made clear whose side he is on — everyday Americans, not the globalist politicians who have spent decades selling out American workers to foreign countries.

    Here’s what you missed during President Trump’s speech:

    • President Trump on his motivations: “I’m proud to be the president for the workers, not the outsourcers; the president who stands up for Main Street, not Wall Street; who protects the middle class, not the political class; and who defends America, not trade cheaters all over the globe.”
    • President Trump on the America First agenda: “Our opponents are not afraid that our America First policies will fail, they’re terrified that our strategy will succeed and we’re going to get bigger and stronger and better … and that is what’s happening … We’re going to prove that all of their treasonous years of betrayal will not be forgotten.”
    • President Trump on trade: “The shrill voices that you’re hearing this week about tariffs are the same scoundrels and frauds who never thought twice about when the United States lost 90,000 factories and plants … since NAFTA.”
    • President Trump on deporting foreign terrorists: “Last month, we officially designated Tren de Aragua, MS-13 and the Mexican drug cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. And thanks to the Supreme Court yesterday … We will continue to deport these monsters under the Alien Enemies Act.”
    • President Trump on his second term: “I had somebody say the most successful first month in the history — now they say the most successful 100 days in the history of our country, and I believe that’s right, and we’re going to continue that way, if not more so.”
    • Keith Siegel, an American held hostage by Hamas, delivered moving remarks: “I am here and I am alive. President Trump, you saved my life. You saved the life of 33 hostages because of your efforts.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Amendment to Reciprocal Tariffs and Updated Duties as Applied to Low-Value Imports from the People’s Republic of China

    Source: The White House

    AMENDMENT TO RECIPROCAL TARIFFS AND UPDATED DUTIES AS APPLIED TO LOW-VALUE IMPORTS FROM THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

    By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (IEEPA), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2483), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, I hereby determine and order:

    Section 1.  Background.  In Executive Order 14257 of April 2, 2025 (Regulating Imports with a Reciprocal Tariff to Rectify Trade Practices that Contribute to Large and Persistent Annual United States Goods Trade Deficits), I declared a national emergency arising from conditions reflected in large and persistent annual U.S. goods trade deficits, and imposed additional ad valorem duties that I deemed necessary and appropriate to deal with that unusual and extraordinary threat, which has its source in whole or substantial part outside the United States, to the national security and economy of the United States.  Section 4(b) of Executive Order 14257 provided that “[s]hould any trading partner retaliate against the United States in response to this action through import duties on U.S. exports or other measures, I may further modify the [Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States] to increase or expand in scope the duties imposed under this order to ensure the efficacy of this action.”  I further declared pursuant to Executive Order 14256 of April 2, 2025 (Further Amendment to Duties Addressing the Synthetic Opioid Supply Chain in the People’s Republic of China as Applied to Low-Value Imports) that duty-free de minimis treatment on articles described in section 2(a) of Executive Order 14195 is no longer available effective at 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on May 2, 2025.

    On April 4, 2025, the State Council Tariff Commission of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) announced that in response to Executive Order 14257, effective at 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on April 10, 2025, a 34 percent tariff would be imposed on all goods imported into the PRC originating from the United States.  Pursuant to section 4(b) of Executive Order 14257, I am ordering modification of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) and taking other actions to increase the duties imposed on the PRC in response to this retaliation.  In my judgment, this modification is necessary and appropriate to effectively address the threat to the national security and economy of the United States.

    Sec. 2.  Tariff Increase.  In recognition of the fact that the PRC has announced that it will retaliate against the United States in response to Executive Order 14257, the HTSUS shall be modified as follows.  Effective with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on April 9, 2025:  
    (a)  heading 9903.01.63 of the HTSUS shall be amended by deleting “34%” each place that it appears and by inserting “84%” in lieu thereof; and
    (b)  subdivision (v)(xiii)(10) of U.S. note 2 to subchapter III of chapter 99 of the HTSUS shall be amended by deleting “34%”, and inserting “84%” in lieu thereof.

    Sec. 3.  De Minimis Tariff Increase.  To ensure that the imposition of tariffs pursuant to section 2 of this order is not circumvented and that the purpose of Executive Order 14257 and this action is not undermined, I also deem it necessary and appropriate to:  
    (a)  increase the ad valorem rate of duty set forth in section 2(c)(i) of Executive Order 14256 from 30 percent to 90 percent;
    (b)  increase the per postal item containing goods duty in section 2(c)(ii) of Executive Order 14256 that is in effect on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on May 2, 2025, and before 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on June 1, 2025, from 25 dollars to 75 dollars; and
    (c)  increase the per postal item containing goods duty in section 2(c)(ii) of Executive Order 14256 that is in effect on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on June 1, 2025, from 50 dollars to 150 dollars.

    Sec. 4.  Implementation.  The Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the United States Trade Representative, as applicable, in consultation with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, the Senior Counselor for Trade and Manufacturing, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, and the Chair of the International Trade Commission, are directed to take all necessary actions to implement and effectuate this order, consistent with applicable law, including through temporary suspension or amendment of regulations or notices in the Federal Register and adopting rules and regulations, and are authorized to take such actions, and to employ all powers granted to the President by IEEPA, as may be necessary to implement this order.  Each executive department and agency shall take all appropriate measures within its authority to implement this order.

    Sec. 5.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
    (i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the head     thereof; or
    (ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
    (b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
    (c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

    DONALD J. TRUMP

    THE WHITE HOUSE,
        April 8, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –