Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA)

WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA), Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee and Co-Chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, issued the following statement condemning President Donald Trump’s death threat directed toward Members of Congress:

“Let’s not mince words. Donald Trump’s statement is a death threat. The sitting President of the United States is calling for the murder of his political opponents. We cannot lose sight of how shocking, dangerous, and abnormal this is.

“For the record—the video that triggered Trump’s death threat simply restates current U.S. law. Members of the United States Armed Forces do not have to obey an order that is manifestly unlawful. That principle stretches back to the founding of our country. In 1950, it was written into the Uniform Code of Military Justice. And it was embedded into international law during the Nuremberg Trials, when the world agreed that ‘just following orders’ is not a valid excuse for committing war crimes.

“I want the country to hear this clearly: do not be intimidated. We will not let Donald Trump normalize violence as a tool of political power. And we will not let the United States slide into the darkness he is trying to drag us into.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Larsen (2nd Congressional District Washington)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (PA-16), Co-Chair of the Congressional Childhood Cancer Caucus, joined Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) and a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers in introducing the Fairness to Kids with Cancer Act of 2025, legislation that ensures federal cancer research funding for pediatric cancers aligns with the percentage of Americans under 18.

Lawmakers co-leading the legislation with Reps. Kelly and Fitzpatrick are Dwight Evans (PA-03), Elise Stefanik (NY-21), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), and Susie Lee (NV-03).

Despite nearly one-fifth of Americans age 18-under, pediatric cancers receive only about 4% of federal cancer research funding. Childhood cancer remains the leading disease-related cause of death for children in the United States, yet many treatments still rely on therapies developed for adults decades ago.

“Approximately 16,000 children are diagnosed with cancer in the United States each year. This legislation invests more in the discovery of treatments and cures that work for these courageous children,” said Rep. Kelly, Co-Chair of the Congressional Childhood Cancer Caucus. “The Fairness to Kids with Cancer Act is a giant step toward that goal because it focuses more money on childhood cancer research. We can, and should, do more, which is why I am a proud champion of this bill.”

“This bill is rooted in a simple principle: fairness. Pediatric cancer has been chronically underfunded for decades, leaving families with fewer options and slower innovation,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick. “The Fairness to Kids with Cancer Act rights a fundamental imbalance, accelerates discovery, and ensures we invest in cures designed for the courageous children who do not choose this battle but fight it with a strength few adults could ever imagine.”

“Cancer can be so devastating at any age, and it can be especially difficult for kids diagnosed with it and their families,” said Rep. Evans. “I’m proud to cosponsor this bill from my Pennsylvania colleague that would help ensure an equitable amount of federal funding for pediatric cancer research.”

“No parent or child should have to face the pain of pediatric cancer. Unfortunately, underinvestment in research and treatment has meant that Nevada kids often must wait or travel several hours for treatment or potentially lifesaving clinical trials,” said Rep. Lee. “I’m proud to help lead this bipartisan legislation with Rep. Fitzpatrick to ensure that federal funding is properly allocated to match our children’s health needs. Our children deserve access to the best care possible, no matter where they live.”

“Cancer is an awful disease that’s devastating so many American children and families — unnecessarily cutting precious lives short. We must keep taking every possible step toward finding cures. That’s why I’m proud to co-lead the bipartisan Fairness to Kids with Cancer Act, to help ensure that federal investments are equally distributed to pediatric cancer research,” said Rep. Gottheimer. “There are children behind every statistic. Pediatric cancer touches far too many families, including my own. With the Fairness to Kids with Cancer Act, we will help develop cutting-edge treatments, find cures, and, most importantly, save lives.”

The legislation establishes:

• Fair-Share Funding Requirement: Beginning in FY2026, pediatric cancer research funding must match the percentage of Americans under age 18.
• Data-Driven Allocation: Annual funding levels will use official Census data.
• Sustained National Investment: Ensures long-term, stable federal support for child-specific treatments.

BACKGROUND

Rep. Kelly has long been a champion for pediatric cancer families, using his role on the Congressional Childhood Cancer Caucus to elevate the voices of young patients, survivors, and caregivers in Pennsylvania and across the nation.

Most recently, Rep. Kelly introduced a resolution to recognize Rare Cancer Day, to highlight the challenges patients face, and to unify individuals living with rare cancers for awareness and early diagnosis. Approximately 1 in 5 Americans living with cancer are diagnosed with a rare cancer. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11)

After voting to release the Epstein Files the Michigan lawmakers are leading the charge to ban the long-abused pardon power

WASHINGTON, D.C. – ICYMI: Congresswoman Haley Stevens joined Senator Elissa Slotkin’s calls to “push Democrats to abolish [the] Presidential Pardon.” The push comes after voting to release the long-blocked Epstein Files and amid Trump’s consideration of pardons for Ghislaine Maxwell and others involved in Epstein’s child sex trafficking ring.

Here’s what Michiganders are seeing and reading about Haley standing up to these abuses of power:

WDIV:

• Two Michigan Democrats leading a push to abolish presidential pardon powers.
• Senator Elissa Slotkin and Representative Haley Stevens are calling for an end to presidential pardons being misused now for political allies.
• The push comes as President Trump considers pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell convicted of helping Jeffrey Epstein traffic underage girls.

WWJ:

• No more presidential pardons – that’s what a pair of local Congresswomen are calling for after voting to release the Epstein files.
• Congresswoman Haley Stevens joined Senator Elissa Slotkin in advocating for an end to the pardon after both joined hundreds of their colleagues in voting to release the Epstein files.
• The call for an end to pardons comes on the heels of  Trump pardoning all January 6th rioters, even the violent offenders, multiple people guilty of tax fraud, and now amidst rumors that Epstein associate Ghilaine Maxwell is also seeking a pardon just 4 years into a 20 year sentence.
• “The presidential pardon power has been used to reward political allies. Trump has done it again, and again, and again.”
• “And now he could even pardon a person who helped run a child sex trafficking ring with Jefferey Epstein. That’s unacceptable.”

WLNS: Slotkin, Stevens push Democrats to abolish presidential pardon

Brad LaPlante

• For the last two months, U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin has been leading an effort to curb President Donald Trump’s use of executive power.
• U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Birmingham) joined Slotkin Tuesday in her calls to end the presidential pardon, criticizing Trump for weighing a decision to pardon Jeffrey Epstein’s sex-trafficking co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell, who is reportedly planning to seek a commutation of her federal prison sentence, according to the Independent.
• A judge sentenced Maxwell to 20 years in prison for enabling sex offender and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein in the sexual exploitation of more than 250 underage girls.
• “It’s time to stop protecting Donald Trump and to start protecting survivors,” Stevens posted to social media platform X on Tuesday. “The presidential pardon power has been used to reward political allies. Trump has done it again, and again, and again. And now he could even pardon a person who helped run a child sex trafficking ring with Jeffrey Epstein. That’s unacceptable.”
• On Nov. 9, Trump issued a pardon for 16 individuals accused of scheming to certify Michigan’s electoral votes for Trump in the 2020 election. While charges against 15 of those individuals were dismissed in September, the 16th reached a cooperation agreement with the Michigan attorney general’s office. His charges were dropped.
• Trump has also issued blanket pardons for those involved in the events at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. He pardoned Ross William Ulbricht, who had been serving a life sentence in prison for running a website that acted as a marketplace to trade narcotics.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Salud Carbajal (CA-24)

U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) issued the statement below following the Trump Administration’s announcement that it is planning to open the California coast to offshore oil drilling for the first time in decades.

“Despite clear opposition from public officials, environmental experts, and residents across our state, the Administration has proposed to sell California’s coastline to Big Oil. Let me be clear: this is a reckless and dangerous move,” said Rep. Carbajal. “Trump’s plan puts delicate marine ecosystems at risk and threatens the public health of coastal communities across the West Coast – all so oil executives can line their pockets. The Central Coast knows the devastating consequences of oil spills firsthand. That’s why we’ve long stood at the forefront of the environmental justice movement. Our community is ready to lead in this fight once again, and I will do everything in my power to ensure we rise to the challenge.”

Carbajal has long led the charge against new oil drilling on the Central Coast.

Earlier this month, Carbajal co-hosted a listening session with environmental leaders from the Central Coast to discuss regional concerns over the Trump administration’s rollback of environmental protections.

In September, Carbajal joined U.S. Senators Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Alex Padilla (D-CA), and other members of the California congressional delegation to demand answers from the Trump administration on its involvement in Sable Offshore Corporation’s attempts to restart offshore oil drilling using the same pipelines that caused the Refugio State Beach oil spill of 2015.

In August, Carbajal reintroduced the Central Coast Heritage Protection Act, which would designate approximately 250,000 acres of public land in the Los Padres National Forest and Carrizo Plain National Monument as wilderness, the highest form of federal protection available. A wilderness designation would protect the land from future oil or gas drilling.

In April, Carbajal announced the reintroduction of the California Clean Coast Act. The California Clean Coast Act was the first bill Congressman Carbajal introduced as a Member of Congress, demonstrating his longstanding commitment to protecting California’s coast from offshore drilling and the devastating impact of oil spills.

In 2024, Carbajal led the effort to get the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary officially designated. The sanctuary protects approximately 4,543 square miles of waters off the Central Coast of California, an area considered culturally, spiritually, and historically significant to the Chumash and Salinan Peoples, from oil drilling.

 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA)

SHERMAN OAKS, CA – On November 19th, more than 2,500 residentsjoined Congressman Brad Sherman’s (CA-32) live Telephone Town Hall — his first since the federal government reopened after the longest shutdown in U.S. history. Sherman used the call to outline why he opposed the deal to reopen the government, warning that it failed to secure protections for the 24 million Americans whose health insurance premiums are poised to spike at the end of the year.

“I’m grateful that thousands of residents always join these town halls,” Sherman said. “Now that the government has finally reopened, there’s a tremendous amount of work ahead and that’s why I hold these town halls — to keep people informed and ensure they have a direct line into what’s happening every step of the way.”

During the call, Sherman reiterated why he voted against the agreement to reopen the government, emphasizing that the deal “protected virtually no one” and failed to extend critical Affordable Care Act subsidies set to expire at year’s end. He warned that millions of Americans now face steep premium increases and stressed the need to push back against what he described as President Trump’s increasingly reckless and authoritarian actions. Sherman also updated constituents on California’s Proposition 50, explaining that even though a federal court struck down the Texas redistricting plan that originally triggered the measure, Prop 50 remains in force unless overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Throughout the event, Sherman answered questions on major national concerns — including health care affordability, aggressive immigration actions, election integrity, presidential overreach, and the importance of safeguarding Social Security and Medicare from proposed cuts. Many constituents expressed alarm over rising extremism, threats to federal protections, and the direction of the country.

The Town Hall also featured Las Virgenes Unified School District Board Member Alan Lazar as a special guest. Lazar highlighted encouraging trends in local public education, including strong UC acceptance rates and improvements in post-pandemic test scores, while noting the challenges of rising costs, teacher retention, math achievement, and managing cell-phone use in schools. “There is a great deal to be proud of in our local schools,” Lazar said, “but we must continue investing in student safety, mental health, and academic recovery.”

During the Town Hall, Sherman requested input from residents by asking a series of survey questions about their thoughts and concerns. 

The results of the survey questions are as follows:

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-Should Congress extend the enhanced ACA subsidies? 

• Yes, extend ACA enhanced subsidies: 81%
• Phase out ACA enhanced subsidies: 7%
• No, let ACA enhanced subsidies expire: 5%
• Unsure: 5%

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-Without an act of Congress, should the President be able to unilaterally withhold federal funds, such as disaster relief? 

• Yes, the president should always be able to withhold federal funds: 4%
• Yes, but only for positions I disagree with: 5%
• No the president should not have the ability to withhold federal funds: 88%
• Unsure: 2%

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-Should the President activate a state’s National Guard troops for federal deployment in cities that he (or she) believes are high in crime? 

• Yes, allow the President to activate troops: 4%
• No, leave it to the states to manage: 91%
• Unsure: 3%

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

Pressley Has Sounded the Alarm on Pushout of Black Women from Workforce Under Trump, Demanded Action from Federal Reserve

On Monday, Pressley to Hold Timely Discussion in Boston on Unemployment Crisis Impacting Black Women, Black Families, and Black Futures

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), a member of the House Financial Services Committee, issued the following statement after the Trump Administration finally released the September jobs report revealing a 7.5% unemployment rate for Black women. In Congress, Rep. Pressley has repeatedly sounded the alarm on the rising number of Black women forced out of the workforce in the United States and called on the Federal Reserve to take action.

On Monday in Boston at 1:00pm ET, Congresswoman Pressley will convene impacted Black women, economists, civil rights leaders, and community members for a timely discussion on the rising unemployment rate for Black women and its impact in Massachusetts and beyond. Media wishing to attend the event are asked to RSVP here.

“These numbers are damning and confirm what we’ve long known to be true: under Donald J. Trump, Black women continue to face a crisis of disproportionately high unemployment—a direct result of Trump’s reckless mass firings, a growing affordability crisis, and relentless attacks on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility initiatives. As the primary breadwinners for many households, Black women are the backbones of our families and our economy, and their systematic pushout not only has dangerous consequences for Black women, Black families, Black futures—it is also a glaring red flag for the entire U.S. economy,” said Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley. “The occupant of the White House must end his racist and fiscally irresponsible economic policies that are destabilizing our communities and harming our economy. The Department of Labor must continue to collect and publish monthly job numbers. And the Federal Reserve must take urgent action to address this crisis. We cannot and will not allow Trump and Republicans’ anti-Black, anti-woman agenda to erase Black women and our contributions from the workforce.”

In September, Congresswoman Pressley wrote to Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell sounding the alarm on the rising unemployment rate for Black women in the United States and demanding the Fed take immediate action to uphold its mandate of maximum employment for all. The Congresswoman’s letter comes as the Trump Administration’s mass federal workforce layoffs and anti-DEI policies disproportionately impact Black women and as Donald Trump attempts to seize control of the Fed by illegally firing Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook.

A copy of the Congresswoman’s letter is available here.

Later in September, Congresswoman Pressley convened a press conference with a coalition of Black women activists and civil rights leaders to continue sounding the alarm on the rising number of Black women forced out of the workforce in the United States.

Rep. Pressley has consistently advocated for race-conscious policies to help close the racial wealth gap in America, uplift Black, brown, and other marginalized communities.

• Building on the legacy of Black women in the civil rights movement, Rep. Pressley led a historic resolution calling for a federal job guarantee.  
• In a House Financial Services Committee hearing, Congresswoman Pressley questioned Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell on the issue of full employment and the Civil Rights history of the Federal Reserve’s dual mandate. Powell conceded, for the first time in Federal Reserve history and on the Congressional record, that the Fed alone cannot get the United States to full employment.
• Congresswoman Pressley, along with Senator Cory Booker, is the lead co-sponsor of the American Opportunity Accounts Act—also known as Baby Bonds—legislation that would create a federally-funded savings account for every American child in order to make economic opportunity a birthright for every child and help close the racial wealth gap.
• Rep. Pressley introduced the Equity in Government Act to codify racial equity across federal agencies and improve government services for underserved communities.
• Rep. Pressley has also called on the five largest banks in America to provide a detailed update on the racial equity commitments the institutions made following the murder of George Floyd in 2020.
• Rep. Pressley was also a leading voice in Congress urging President Biden to cancel student debt. Following years of advocacy by Rep. Pressley—in partnership with colleagues, borrowers, and advocates like the NAACP—the Biden-Harris Administration announced a historic plan to cancel student debt that stands to benefit over 40 million people.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar released the following statement:

Political violence has no place in America. 

Representatives Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio, Maggie Goodlander and Chrissy Houlahan and Senators Mark Kelly and Elissa Slotkin all served our country with tremendous patriotism and distinction. We unequivocally condemn Donald Trump’s disgusting and dangerous death threats against Members of Congress and call on House Republicans to forcefully do the same. 

Donald Trump incited a violent attack on the Capitol on January 6th as part of a treacherous attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. The President’s violent and unhinged rhetoric against American patriots is consistent with his well-documented history of attacking prisoners of war, Gold Star families and war heroes. There is no bottom when it comes to Donald Trump. 

We have been in contact with the House Sergeant at Arms and the United States Capitol Police to ensure the safety of these Members and their families. Donald Trump must immediately delete these unhinged social media posts and recant his violent rhetoric before he gets someone killed.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Gus Bilirakis (FL-12)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Representatives Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Raul Ruiz (CA-25), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), and Ami Bera (CA-06) introduced bipartisan legislation, the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act, to protect seniors’ access to care by ensuring Medicare keeps pace with rising health care costs. The bill helps prevent doctor shortages in Medicare by making sure payments better reflect the real cost of delivering care, especially in rural, underserved, and low-income communities.  Millions of seniors rely on Medicare to see their doctors, but year-to-year payment fluctuations have made it harder for physician practices to stay financially stable—forcing some to limit Medicare patients or close their doors entirely. By aligning Medicare payments more closely with inflation, this legislation aims to keep providers in the program so seniors can continue getting timely, high-quality care.

“I’m deeply concerned that our outdated physician payment system is contributing to reduced access and delays for seniors seeking the care they deserve. This important legislation will help create greater stability for older Americans by strengthening access to services and supporting improved health outcomes. The need for this reform is especially acute in the rural communities I represent, where longstanding provider shortages make consistent, reliable Medicare payments all the more essential,” said Congressman Bilirakis.

“Expanding access to health care by strengthening Medicare for Seniors is a priority of mine. It’s becoming more difficult for Seniors to find physicians through Medicare,” said Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-25). “That’s why I introduced the bipartisan Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act, which expands access to Medicare beneficiaries by helping ensure their doctors can keep their doors open. Everyone, including people in rural and underserved communities, deserve stable, reliable access to the care they depend on.”

For years, health experts and oversight bodies—including the Medicare Trustees and MedPAC—have warned that failing to update Medicare payments to reflect inflation could lead to reduced access to care for beneficiaries. Costs to run medical practices have risen nearly 50% over the past two decades, while Medicare payments have fallen when adjusted for inflation, putting pressure on physicians who continue to serve Medicare patients.  This legislation answers those warnings by stabilizing access for current and future Medicare beneficiaries.

“In California’s 19th Congressional District, many constituents are finding that doctors’ offices are overwhelmed, and many seniors are stuck waiting months to see a physician,” said Rep. Panetta. “By tying reimbursement rates to inflation, the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act would help ensure that more doctors are available to treat patients and improve outcomes. Congress must be responsible to make Medicare work so patients can have affordable and accessible healthcare.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Dina Titus (1st District of Nevada)

Congresswoman Dina Titus today released a letter she has sent to Gov. Joe Lombardo asking him to explain why his administration agreed to drop an investigation and over $400,000 in fines against the Boring Company after two firefighters suffered chemical burns in a training exercise and whether he will commit to more stringent regulation of the Boring Company as it constructs miles of underground tunnels beneath Las Vegas.

“I am writing to express my concern about The Boring Company (“Boring”), who, through the dumping of hazardous materials, among other actions, has endangered not only my constituents in Nevada’s First Congressional District, but also our environment. I urge you to hold the company accountable for putting workers, first responders, and the community at increased risk,” Congresswoman Titus said. “I am alarmed by public reporting alleging that your Administration helped Boring evade fines related to the dumping of toxic chemicals in tunnels and putting the safety of firefighters at risk. Our firefighters already risk their lives each and every day to help our community during times of crisis; it is unacceptable for them to face preventable safety hazards.”

Congresswoman Titus asked Gov. Lombardo to provide answers and documents by Dec. 12 for the following:  

1. Will your office cooperate with a public hearing should one be called by the Board of Clark County Commissioners?

2. What procedures did Nevada OSHA follow in its public safety investigation that led to your Administration levying a $425,595 fine on Boring on May 28, 2025? Which officials signed off on the citations and associated fines before they were levied?

3. Why were the three citations issued on May 28, 2025, never mentioned in the OSHA case file for the public record?

4. Are the reports that someone on your team went against protocol to delete documentation of a meeting between your staff and Steve Davis from Boring on May 29, 2025, accurate? If so, why was the record of this meeting deleted from the case diary?

5. Reports suggest that someone “above” Nevada OSHA made the decision to rescind the fine. Who made the decision to rescind the willful citations and fines levied against Boring on May 28, 2025? What, if any, additional information did your team receive after initially levying the penalty that led to the fine being rescinded?

6. Please release the final justification document and/or all draft justification documents behind the decision by your Administration to rescind the fine against Boring, including any documents that have been deleted from public records.

7. Will you commit to making the monthly “update” meetings between the Chief Administrative officer (CAO) of Nevada OSHA and Boring public? At a minimum, will you commit to sharing detailed notes about what was discussed during each meeting between OSHA and Boring?

8. What other safety concerns about Boring’s Nevada project have you and your staff been made aware of? Has your team investigated any other safety concerns involving Boring and, if so, what was the outcome of each investigation?

9. What actions have you and your staff taken to ensure that all safety concerns with The Boring Loop project are addressed appropriately in the future? Should a staff member in the Nevada OSHA office have concerns with how an investigation is being handled, what procedures are in place to protect against retaliation should they voice these concerns?