Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Huffman Representing the 2nd District of California

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

U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24), along with U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA) and U.S. Representatives Jared Huffman (D-CA-02), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19), Mike Levin (D-CA-49), and Dave Min (D-CA-47), led 31 of their colleagues in sending a letter to the Trump administration opposing the development of new offshore oil and gas leases in the Southern and Central California Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) planning areas and to extend the current public comment period by 90 days. 

The Trump administration’s plan proposes opening vast swaths of previously protected federal waters to new oil and gas drilling for the first time in over 40 years, disregarding bipartisan opposition.

“California’s coastal economy supports roughly 511,000 jobs and generates over $51.3 billion in GDP from marine-economy activities — largely in tourism and recreation — meaning that new offshore drilling could jeopardize the livelihoods of thousands of working families,” wrote the lawmakers. “The 2015 Refugio oil spill and the 2021 Huntington Beach oil spill further underscored the ongoing risks of offshore drilling and reinforced our strong opposition to any expansion of offshore oil and gas development.”

The lawmakers went on to highlight the risks offshore oil and gas development off the Southern and Central California coast poses to military readiness. 

“Introducing additional offshore drilling infrastructure and associated hazardous materials into this already congested and mission-critical maritime space would increase operational risk, complicate training and testing activities, and heighten the potential for catastrophic consequences in the event of a spill—placing both military personnel and national security interests at unnecessary risk,” continued the lawmakers.

The lawmakers closed by emphasizing that concerns over the administration’s leasing plan are shared across party lines, and they urged the administration to extend the current public comment period.

“The administration’s leasing plan is a significant concern to Californians regardless of political affiliation, as both Democratic- and Republican-led cities have passed resolutions opposing new drilling in the Pacific. Moreover, our constituents have just engaged in a robust 60-day public review of the five-year offshore leasing plan released on November 24, 2025 and closed January 23, 2026—where they submitted hundreds of thousands of comments during that period. Many of those comments directly addressed federal oil and gas leasing in the Pacific and the associated risks to coastal ecosystems and local economies,” wrote the lawmakers. “For these reasons, we respectfully request a 90-day extension of the current public comment period on offshore oil and gas leasing in the Southern and Central California OCS Planning Areas. An extension will ensure that residents, local governments, Tribal Nations, small businesses, fishermen, environmental groups, and other stakeholders have adequate opportunity to review the proposal and submit comprehensive feedback that reflects the breadth of impacts this decision would entail.”

California’s push to limit new offshore drilling dates back to 1969, when an oil rig off the coast of Santa Barbara leaked 3 million gallons of crude oil into the ocean, blanketing beaches with a thick layer of oil and killing thousands of marine mammals and birds. That disaster remained the nation’s worst oil spill until the Exxon Valdez incident two decades later. More recently, incidents like the 2015 Refugio State Beach and the 2021 Huntington Beach oil spills have underscored how risky additional offshore drilling can be for coastal communities. 

Full text of the letter is available here and below:

Dear Mr. President and Secretary Burgum:

As Members of the California Congressional Delegation, we write in strong opposition to the inclusion of the Southern California and Central California Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Planning Areas in the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s (BOEM) ongoing offshore oil and gas leasing process. The recent announcement of a public comment period on potential leasing in these regions — separate from the 60-day comment period that concluded on January 23, 2026 for the Draft Proposed Program (DPP) of the 11th National OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program — has raised significant concerns among our constituents and stakeholders. 

Since the devastating 1969 oil spill in Santa Barbara, California, there has not been a new or expanded lease in California state waters since 1969 or one in federal waters since 1984. This is in recognition that the waters off the coasts of Southern and Central California are economically and ecologically invaluable. Across the country, many of our communities depend on recreational and commercial fishing, tourism, outdoor recreation, and other industries that can be directly harmed by incompatible energy development. California’s coastal economy supports roughly 511,000 jobs and generates over $51.3 billion in GDP from marine-economy activities — largely in tourism and recreation — meaning that new offshore drilling could jeopardize the livelihoods of thousands of working families. The 2015 Refugio oil spill and the 2021 Huntington Beach oil spill further underscored the ongoing risks of offshore drilling and reinforced our strong opposition to any expansion of offshore oil and gas development.

In addition to the environmental and economic risks, offshore oil and gas development in the Southern and Central California OCS Planning Areas poses serious threats to military readiness and national security. California is home to the largest concentration of military forces in the nation, including more than 30 major installations and over 200,000 active-duty and reserve personnel. The Southern California coast supports some of the military’s most critical training and readiness activities, including multiple offshore range complexes and testing areas that span more than 156,000 square nautical miles. 

These waters are essential to the operations of the U.S. Navy’s Third Fleet and the First Marine Expeditionary Force, which together form a cornerstone of U.S. power projection in the Pacific. Introducing additional offshore drilling infrastructure and associated hazardous materials into this already congested and mission-critical maritime space would increase operational risk, complicate training and testing activities, and heighten the potential for catastrophic consequences in the event of a spill—placing both military personnel and national security interests at unnecessary risk.

The administration’s leasing plan is a significant concern to Californians regardless of political affiliation, as both Democratic- and Republican-led cities have passed resolutions opposing new drilling in the Pacific. Moreover, our constituents have just engaged in a robust 60-day public review of the five-year offshore leasing plan released on November 24, 2025 and closed January 23, 2026—where they submitted hundreds of thousands of comments during that period. Many of those comments directly addressed federal oil and gas leasing in the Pacific and the associated risks to coastal ecosystems and local economies. 

For these reasons, we respectfully request a 90-day extension of the current public comment period on offshore oil and gas leasing in the Southern and Central California OCS Planning Areas. An extension will ensure that residents, local governments, Tribal Nations, small businesses, fishermen, environmental groups, and other stakeholders have adequate opportunity to review the proposal and submit comprehensive feedback that reflects the breadth of impacts this decision would entail.

We urge your Administration to consider this extension in the interest of transparency and meaningful public participation. And, as you continue to consider new drilling in the Southern and Central California OCS planning areas—we are categorically opposed to any new drilling. Instead, we urge your Administration to abandon these proposals in recognition of the unacceptable risks they pose to coastal communities, our regional and local economies, and national security.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)

Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA), who represents a Northern Virginia district that includes National Airport (DCA), last night delivered remarks on the House floor during debate on S. 2503, the ROTOR Act (S.2503), aviation safety reform legislation drafted in response to last year’s fatal accident in the skies above DCA that claimed 67 lives. Beyer spoke in support of the bill, crediting families of the victims of the tragic accident for their advocacy.

Some of those family members will join Beyer and other lawmakers for a press conference this morning at 10:30 ahead of the vote, to voice support for the ROTOR Act in person on Capitol Hill as the Department of Defense and several committee leaders issue statements opposing the bill. That press conference will be livestreamed here.

The House vote on the ROTOR Act is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. today, with a threshold of two thirds required for passage because of the procedural measure that brought it to the floor. The bill previously passed the Senate.

Beyer’s remarks, as delivered (video here):

“I rise today in support of S.2503, the ROTOR Act.

Last year’s January 29 midair collision at National Airport tragically took 67 lives, but it was preventable.

It is our duty to do everything we can to stop this tragedy from ever happening again.

This bill would implement a central recommendation from the NTSB’s final report on the collision: a requirement to use Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast technology, “ADS-B Out and In.”

NTSB has recommended an ADS-B In requirement 17 times before.

NTSB’s final report said that ADS-B In would have alerted the flight crew 59 seconds before the collision, and the helicopter crew 48 seconds before [the collision].

ADS-B In would have given those pilots a fighting chance to avoid the disaster.

It is high time that ADS-B Out and In are required in our nation’s busiest airspaces like the National Capital Region.

Passing the ROTOR Act is the strongest first step we can take toward ensuring a safer airspace for the flying public today, to improve aviation safety and prevent a future crash at DCA.

I want to thank Chairman Graves, Ranking Member Larsen, Ranking Member Smith, and Chairman Rogers for the comprehensive draft legislation they released last week, addressing the systemic roots of many of the causes of the January ‘25 collision.

Their Alert Act includes important must-pass provisions.

We need to reevaluate of the arrival rate at National Airport. We need to improve our helicopter route charts. We need to limit military helicopter flights in our region.

But Congress must pass the ROTOR Act this week, to mandate that pilots have access to ADS-B In and Out as soon as possible.

And then we must immediately work to advance the ALERT ACT, while reconciling any differences in a way that maximizes aviation safety, to ensure all the recommendations of the NTSB can be adopted.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the Families of Flight 5342, who have been a driving force for the ROTOR Act and for aviation safety reform.

These families have become advocates, experts, and champions—all in the face of tremendous loss, and it has been an honor to work with them.

Passing the ROTOR Act is the first and strongest step that Congress must take to immediately give pilots another key tool to prevent collisions, and to begin saving lives now.

I urge my colleagues in joining me in supporting the ROTOR Act, and I yield back.”

Congressman Beyer has consistently championed aviation safety and long advocated for measures to alleviate congested air traffic in Northern Virginia skies. After the tragic collision between PSA Airlines Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army helicopter, Beyer urged for a safety review and an extended halt of military helicopter training in the airspace around DCA. Beyer also helped secure language requiring the Department of Transportation to conduct an independent safety review of DCA’s airspace, civil-military coordination, and operational safety in the National Capital Region as part of the FY26 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Act, which was recently passed into law on February 3, 2026. Beyer was among the first voices to urge the Trump Administration to adopt the National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary recommendations following its investigation of the incident.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) will attend the State of the Union tonight with guest Karen Freeman-Wilson, CEO of the Chicago Urban League, who has been at the forefront of protecting the Black community from President Donald Trump’s attacks. During his first year in office, President Trump has rolled back policies, rescinded federal funds, and terminated diversity-focused programs, impacting gun violence, food security, affordable housing, public transportation, healthcare, and the well-being of Black people.

“Tonight, President Trump will spew lies about how he’s doing a great job as president. He can tout his A+++ economy, but the truth is that far too many hardworking people, especially Black Americans, are struggling to make ends meet. Due to so-called efficiency, President Trump slashed federal jobs, impacting Black women as unemployment rates continue to climb,” said Rep. Kelly. “President Trump is trying to drag our country backwards to a time when all people were not seen and treated as equals. My honorable guest, Karen, and I will keep marching forward to keep our communities safe, lower costs, expand healthcare, and improve our entire country.”

The Chicago Urban League advocates for affordable housing, economic development and social justice.

“I am grateful to Representative Robin Kelly for the invitation to join her and her colleagues for the State of the Union address. It is critical that those of us closest to the community bear witness for those who are suffering at the hands of idealogues,” said Freeman-Wilson. “Policies have consequences. Every day our brothers and sisters are reeling from barbaric policies that impact their food, medicine, constitutionally protected speech, and freedom from illegal state action. We must help the members of Congress who have acquiesced to the war against diversity, equity and inclusion; the war against those who need help with healthcare, food and shelter, and the war against the rule of law to understand that their failure to act has consequences for all of us. I thank Representative Kelly for using her voice and for giving me the opportunity to deliver this message during my time in Washington today at such a critical time in the life of our democracy.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif)

Atascadero, CA – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta was joined by Atascadero Mayor Charles Bourbeau and Atascadero Police Chief Dan Suttles for a press conference to announce $850,000 in federal funding for improvements to the Atascadero Police Station. The funding announced will be used to make updates to the dispatch center. The Police Station is also currently planning larger updates to better serve and protect the people of Atascadero.

“Dispatch centers are the central nerve of any local police station, and a modern, well-equipped dispatch center is critical to public safety in Atascadero,” said Rep. Panetta. “The $850,000 in federal funding that I’ve secured isn’t just going to update the police station, it’s going to help our first responders save lives and serve the community. I’m proud to deliver this investment to make sure that the Congressional power of the purse is felt right here in our 19^th Congressional District.”

The funding announced today is what Rep. Panetta worked for to be included in the most recent appropriations package. Rep. Panetta secured $2.6 million in community project funding for local projects in Northern San Luis Obispo (SLO) County, and a total of over $15 million to fund 14 local projects in California’s 19^th Congressional District.

Previously in FY 2024, Rep. Panetta secured $3.5 million in community project funding for Northern SLO County, which included $1 million for El Camino Real in Atascadero.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Randy Weber (14th District of Texas)

Washington, D.C. –  Today, Congressman Randy Weber (TX-14), Vice Chair of the Republican Study Committee’s House Energy Action Team (HEAT), introduced a House Resolution recognizing the 10th anniversary of the first export shipment of liquefied natural gas (LNG) produced in the lower 48 United States.

On February 24, 2016, the tanker Asia Vision departed Cheniere’s Sabine Pass facility on the Texas Gulf Coast bound for Brazil. That historic shipment marked the first time LNG produced by American workers, using American technology, was exported from the continental United States to global markets. It signaled the beginning of a new era of American energy leadership.

The resolution:

• Recognizes and celebrates the 10th anniversary of the first LNG export shipment from the lower 48 states;
• Honors the workers, innovators, and communities who made this milestone possible;
• Acknowledges the role LNG exports play in strengthening U.S. economic growth, energy security, and international partnerships;
• And reaffirms the importance of continued innovation and responsible development of American energy resources. 

Over the past decade, LNG exports from the lower 48 have supported an annual average of 273,000 American jobs and contributed more than $400 billion in economic growth. U.S. LNG terminals have shipped more than 8,500 cargoes to over 40 countries and regions around the world, strengthening alliances and reducing dependence on hostile energy suppliers.

“Ten years ago, the first LNG shipment from the Lower 48 left right here in Texas’ 14th Congressional District,” said Rep. Weber. “That moment proved what we’ve always known on the Texas Gulf Coast: when America produces, builds, and leads, we win. Today, the United States is the largest LNG exporter in the world because we didn’t sideline American energy, we unleashed it. Now it’s Congress’ job to protect that success and keep America energy dominant.”

“We applaud the work led by the House Energy Action Team (HEAT) to draw attention to the many economic, geopolitical, and environmental benefits of growing U.S. LNG exports,” said Charlie Riedl, Executive Director for the Center for LNG (CLNG). “As a coalition of companies representing the LNG supply chain, CLNG stands ready to support your efforts and continue to advocate for policies that will create American jobs and strengthen our national security. We look forward to working with you to advance this critical resolution and build awareness of the industry in Congress.”

Read CLNG’s full Letter of Support here.

“Over the past decade, U.S. LNG has strengthened our economy, supported hundreds of thousands of American jobs, and enhanced the energy security of our allies around the world,” said Dustin Meyer, Senior Vice President of Policy, Economics and Regulatory Affairs, American Petroleum Institute. “We applaud Congressman Weber’s leadership in recognizing the workers, innovators, and communities who made the United States the world’s leading LNG exporter, and who will continue to drive American energy innovation and leadership for decades to come.”

“America’s leading independent producers are proud to power a decade of U.S. LNG export leadership, and we applaud Representative Weber for recognizing this historic turning point that helped transform the United States into a global energy superpower,” said Parker Kasmer, Vice President of Government Affairs, of the American Exploration & Production Council. “Thanks to the ingenuity and investment of American natural gas producers, U.S. LNG has become a cornerstone of global energy security, powering homes and economies across Europe, Asia, and beyond. As we mark this milestone, we look forward to working with Congress to advance policies that expand the role of American-made natural gas in meeting the world’s growing demand for ever cleaner, reliable energy,”

The resolution is cosponsored by Representatives Rick Allen (GA-12), Brian Babin (TX-36), Troy Balderson (OH-12), Aaron Bean (FL-04), Stephanie Bice (OK-05), Mike Carey (OH-15), Buddy Carter (GA-01), Michael Cloud (TX-27), Mike Collins (GA-10), Dan Crenshaw (TX-02), Jake Ellzey (TX-06), Julie Fedorchak (ND-AL), Randy Fine (FL-06), Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03), Craig Goldman (TX-12), Vincent Gonzalez (TX-34), Pat Harrigan (NC-10), Clay Higgins (LA-03), Wesley Hunt (TX-38), Jeff Hurd (CO-03), Julia Letlow (LA-05), Barry Loudermilk (GA-11), Rich McCormick (GA-07), Addison McDowell (NC-06), Mark Messmer (IN-08), Carol Miller (WV-01), Nathaniel Moran (TX-01), Troy Nehls (TX-22), August Pfluger (TX-11), Michael Rulli (OH-6), Pete Stauber (MN-08), Beth Van Duyne (TX-24), and Roger Williams (TX-25).

Congressman Weber serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, where he is Vice Chairman of the Energy Subcommittee and serves on the Environment and Oversight & Investigations Subcommittees.

Rep. Weber’s district on the Texas Gulf Coast is home to critical LNG infrastructure that powers American energy production and strengthens national security.

Read more in the Orange Leader here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV), alongside her House colleagues, introduced a resolution recognizing the 10th anniversary of the first export shipment of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) produced in the continental United States. On February 24, 2016, the United States shipped its first LNG cargo, solidifying the nation’s status as a global energy powerhouse. This milestone marked a significant step forward for economic growth and helped position the U.S. as the world’s leading exporter of LNG.

“As Co-Chair of the Energy Export Caucus, I see the critical role LNG plays in strengthening America’s energy dominance. LNG is a cornerstone of U.S. energy exports and supports good-paying jobs, all while bolstering our national security. I am proud to co-sponsor this resolution recognizing ten years of success since the first LNG export from the contiguous 48 states, and honoring the workers and innovators who made this historic achievement possible,” said Congresswoman Carol Miller. 

Background

• The first LNG export from the continental United States occurred on February 24, 2016, marking a major milestone in America’s energy production and export capabilities.
• Over the past decade, the United States has exported more than 8,500 LNG cargoes to over 40 countries and regions.
• The rapid growth of LNG exports has helped establish the United States as the world’s largest exporter of LNG.
• U.S. LNG exports have played a critical role in supporting global energy stability, reducing reliance on adversarial energy suppliers, and promoting economic growth and job creation at home.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Paul A Gosar DDS (AZ-04)

Washington, DC — Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-09) issued the following statement after receiving a detailed response from the Department of Homeland Security to his recent letter regarding the proposed ICE processing facility in Surprise, Arizona:

“I want to thank Secretary Noem for her prompt, direct, and transparent response to each of the questions I raised regarding the proposed ICE processing site in my district in Surprise, Arizona.  At a time when our nation faces unprecedented challenges from illegal immigration, largely caused by the previous administration’s open-border policies, I appreciate Secretary Noem’s willingness to work collaboratively with my office to ensure that this project is carried out responsibly, securely, and with full consideration for local communities.

According to the response, the Surprise site is under consideration to serve as a 500-1,500 bed processing facility used for intake and short-term transfer of illegals placed into removal proceedings.  The average length of stay would generally be three to seven days before transfer to a larger detention center.  DHS further indicated that ICE anticipates onboarding such facilities by the end of Fiscal Year 2026, subject to the procurement process and available funding.

Secretary Noem’s response outlined that the facility would adhere to ICE National Detention Standards, include a fully staffed on-site medical unit, reimburse local partners for emergency services, and maintain robust security staffing to ensure the safety of detainees, personnel, and surrounding communities.  DHS is also committed to continued engagement with state and local stakeholders and congressional oversight as the project advances.

However, DHS made clear that the Democrats’ current government shutdown is directly impacting its ability to provide specific timelines for development and operational commencement.

Nearly a century ago, Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis warned that when a government fails to uphold the law, it “breeds contempt for law” and “invites anarchy.” His words remain relevant today.  When federal immigration law is ignored, unfunded, or obstructed for political gain, the result is disorder at our border and danger in our communities.  The American people deserve a federal government that enforces the law consistently and without apology.

Unfortunately, Democrats’ partisan political stunts are once again interfering with the core mission of protecting the American people. The ongoing shutdown is preventing DHS from establishing a realistic and transparent timetable for this critical public safety project.  Every day Democrats continue this reckless obstruction they delay border security efforts and put American lives at risk. 

Border security is national security.  Democrats must end their political games, reopen the government immediately, and allow DHS and ICE to do their jobs.  The safety of Arizona communities – and all Americans – cannot be held hostage to partisan theatrics.

I will continue to work closely with Secretary Noem, ICE officials and local stakeholders to ensure transparency, accountability, and the safety of Arizona residents as this project moves forward,” concluded Congressman Paul Gosar.

Click here to read a copy of the response letter from DHS.