Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX)

Contact: Alexis Torres

Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) released the following statement regarding the Trump Administration falsely asserting the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) does not have legal authority to utilize contingency funds for November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits:

“After cutting SNAP by $186 billion earlier this year in the Big Ugly Bill, Donald Trump and his accomplices are now refusing to extend SNAP food assistance that millions of families rely upon to put food on the table. Adding a hunger crisis to their self-made health care crisis, Republicans’ government shutdown is placing an enormous strain on the Central Texas Food Bank and other community service groups as families turn to them for help. For every meal a food bank provides, SNAP can provide nine—leaving many still struggling to keep their children fed. This Administration can, and must, immediately use the billions in reserve funding available for SNAP. As in September, USDA asserted it would on page 15 of its shutdown plan, which stated that such funds could be used during a shutdown. 

“The President, who found $40 billion for Argentina, who is reopening USDA offices to get billions to farmers suffering from his tariff taxes, and who boasts that he can do almost anything, is refusing to tap a rainy-day fund to help seniors, veterans, and families with children. It’s not the well that’s run out, as Republicans claim; it’s their empathy for others that has run dry.

“While I strongly support the legal action taken by 25 states to pressure the Administration to uphold their responsibility to Americans, we cannot ignore that Congressional Republicans have wasted weeks doing nothing to resolve this shutdown. It’s time they join Democrats in an honest negotiation to reach a reasonable solution that keeps health care costs low and families fed.”

Relevant excerpt from USDA’s Lapse of Funding Plan (September 30, 2025):

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): OMB’s General Counsel provided a letter to USDA on May 23, 2025 stating that there is a bona fide need to obligate benefits for October – the first month of the fiscal year – during or prior to the month of September, thereby guaranteeing that benefit funds are available for program operations even in the event of a government shutdown at the beginning of a fiscal year. In addition, Congressional intent is evident that SNAP’s operations should continue since the program has been provided with multi-year contingency funds that can be used for State Administrative Expenses to ensure that the State can also continue operations during a Federal Government shutdown. These multi-year contingency funds are also available to fund participant benefits in the event that a lapse occurs in the middle of the fiscal year. To fulfill this Congressional intent, it is necessary that a limited number of FNS employees be excepted from furlough to support program operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, program policy and operations, financial management, and stakeholder communications.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX)

Congressman Doggett responds to Trump’s decision to allow SNAP food assistance to expire.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative David Kustoff (TN-08)

WASHINGTON – Last week, Congressman David Kustoff (R-TN) nominated students from West Tennessee to the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and U.S. Military Academy. “Each year, it is an honor to nominate exceptional students from West Tennessee to attend our country’s military academies,” said Congressman Kustoff. “These young men and women have demonstrated character and leadership in their schools and communities. I applaud each of them for their willingness to serve.”

Congressman Kustoff personally called each nominee to offer his congratulations and tell them which academies they would be nominated to attend.

See the full list of nominations below.

U.S. Air Force Academy: 
Harold Anderson (Houston High School), Blake Bryson (Collierville High School), Dev Dalsania (St. George’s Independent School), Victoria Davidson (Tipton-Rosemark Academy), Chase Ellingsworth (Evangelical Christian School), Brodi Lichliter (Collierville High School), Gray Patterson (Briarcrest Christian Academy), Parker Pounds (Briarcrest Christian Academy), Tristan Strauss (Nile C. Kinnick High School), Russell Wilson (Lexington High School)

U.S. Coast Guard Academy:
Tristan Strauss (Nile C. Kinnick High School)

U.S. Naval Academy:
Harold Anderson (Houston High School), Blake Bryson (Collierville High School), Makayla Bullock (Houston High School), Chloe Bush (U.S. Naval Academy Preparatory School), Dev Dalsania (St. George’s Independent School), Victoria Davidson (Tipton-Rosemark Academy), Chase Ellingsworth (Evangelical Christian School), Lyle Grant (Collierville High School), Brodi Lichliter (Collierville High School), Sam Miraglia (St. George’s Independent School), Andrew Painter (Briarcrest Christian Academy), Gray Patterson (Briarcrest Christian Academy), Jett Pickens (Lakeland Preparatory School), Tristan Strauss (Nile C. Kinnick High School), Russell Wilson (Lexington High School)

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy:
Harold Anderson (Houston High School), Blake Bryson (Collierville High School), Brodi Lichliter (Collierville High School), Gray Patterson (Briarcrest Christian Academy), Jett Pickens (Lakeland Preparatory School)

U.S. Military Academy:
Addison Abney (Evangelical Christian School), Harold Anderson (Houston High School), Will Beasley (Houston/Germantown Online), Blake Bryson (Collierville High School), Eli Culbreth (U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School), Jonathan Kelly (Brighton High School), Corbin Kirkland (Christian Brothers High School), Lorelei Klobe (University of Mississippi), Wyatt Kratochvil (Collierville High School), Brodi Lichliter (Collierville High School), Andrew Painter (Briarcrest Christian Academy), Jett Pickens (Lakeland Preparatory School), Russell Wilson (Lexington High School)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata (American Samoa) with Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds (Northern Mariana Islands), Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett (U.S. Virgin Islands), and Congressman James Moylan (Guam) worked together in introducing H.R. 5960, a bipartisan bill to restore duty-free treatment for low-value shipments from the U.S. territories following the recent suspension of de minimis privileges under Executive Order 14324.

The legislation addresses concerns raised by territorial residents about being charged rates or classifications that treat their shipments as foreign. It restores the tariff treatment Congress specifically designed for Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands, and it makes clear that the territories should not be swept into trade restrictions aimed at foreign countries. The measure responds to mail delays, unexpected charges, and other disruptions created by recent federal tariff changes.

Congresswoman Aumua Amata of American Samoa said the bill reinforces fairness for island communities and businesses.

“Our people in the islands deserve the same federal services at the same rates as the rest of the United States,” said Congresswoman Amata. “That’s an important principle of fairness, and it’s also important for our local economies, so our hardworking small businesses have services and shipping at standard U.S. rates. Thank you to Reps. King-Hinds, Moylan, and Plaskett as we work together on our bipartisan legislation.”

Congresswoman King-Hinds, the bill’s sponsor, said the bill reaffirms federal recognition of the territories’ distinct relationship to the United States.

“The Northern Mariana Islands and our sister territories have a clearly defined status under U.S. law,” said Congresswoman King-Hinds. “We are not foreign countries, but neither are we part of the customs territory. Our relationship is unique, and that is reflected in the laws that govern how our goods move through the American market. This bill restores that balance and makes sure federal policy honors the intent of Congress.”

Congresswoman Plaskett of the U.S. Virgin Islands said the measure is an important step in ensuring fairness and consistency in federal trade policy.

“For too long, U.S. territories have been treated as afterthoughts in trade policy—swept into restrictions meant for foreign countries despite being integral parts of the United States,” said Congresswoman Plaskett. “This legislation permanently protects the de minimis exemption for our territories and requires federal agencies to consider territorial impacts before enacting trade restrictions. Our residents pay taxes, serve in uniform, and are American citizens in every sense—they deserve economic policies that recognize that reality. This legislation represents our united voice as territorial delegates: our constituents are Americans, and federal trade policy must reflect that reality.”

Congressman Moylan of Guam, who is also an original cosponsor of the measure, noted the importance of restoring the exemption for territorial residents.

“I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this essential legislation. The recent executive order suspending the de minimis exemption has a real impact on the lives of the people of Guam and is an unjust policy to levy on only those living in the US Territories. Through this legislation we’re making our voices clear: Americans in the Territories should be treated equally to those in the States.”

Under the bill, the U.S. Department of the Treasury would be required to admit goods originating in the covered territories duty-free, consistent with the treatment Congress intended prior to January 1, 2025. The bill also restores parity among the territories by adding the Northern Mariana Islands to the list of areas eligible for the “bona fide gifts” exemption under the Tariff Act of 1930.

The bill includes a new requirement that federal agencies consult on the territorial effects of any future trade or tariff changes. This provision reflects the concern shared by all four territorial delegates that federal policy decisions can unintentionally sweep the territories into rules designed for foreign countries. The consultation requirement ensures that federal agencies consider how proposed policy changes may affect territorial residents, local businesses, and the cost of essential goods and services.

“Territorial economies are deeply integrated with the broader U.S. market,” Congresswoman King-Hinds concluded. “When federal policy overlooks our legal status or disrupts the systems that connect our islands to the rest of the country, the impact is immediate. This legislation provides a clear, permanent fix.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming final House passage of the bill to end the longest-ever U.S. government shutdown after 43 days, and renew much-needed funding, including paychecks for military, air traffic controllers and all federal employees. 

This amended bill, passed by a vote of 222-209, funds government through January 30, 2026, and adds three of the 12 full-year 2026 appropriations efforts. These legislative additions fund the following departments and programs through September 30, 2026:

• The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), including the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), SNAP programs in the states and American Samoa’s nutrition grant, WIC and child nutrition;
• All aspects of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) and its services, including modernizing records technology to reduce wait times;
• Military construction, including military families’ housing, childcare facilities, base upgrades, hospitals projects; and
• The legislative branch, which includes several key government services through nonpartisan entities – the Government Accountability Office, the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress, and the Capitol Police. 

“It’s wonderful to put this shutdown behind us. I am enthusiastic about these weeks ahead in Washington, D.C., and the crowded legislative work schedule for the rest of 2025,” said Congresswoman Amata. “The federal government must rapidly restore any lagging benefits, especially Veterans’ services, nutrition, and people’s paychecks. In addition to the nine upcoming appropriations bills, we need to work urgently on getting a House-Senate agreement to the NDAA Defense authorization, which directs the Pentagon and includes the pay increase for our military, as well as the Coast Guard authorization bill. I am optimistic about the prospects for passing these important authorization bills into law.”

The funding bill was passed by the Senate earlier this week, and following House passage, has been sent to President Trump to be signed into law. Once signed into law, federal processing of delayed paychecks will begin. The Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 is a Senate amendment to the original House bill to extend government funding, H.R. 5371. It’s full amended title is the Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction, and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026.

The nine remaining full year appropriations bills have been completed by the House Appropriations Committee, and most of the work is completed on the Senate versions of these bills.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank Pallone (6th District of New Jersey)

Eatontown, N.J. – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today condemned the state’s deeply flawed public hearing on the proposed closure of Monmouth Medical Center after more than 500 residents arrived to speak and were denied entry. The hearing was held inside an RWJ Barnabas facility in a room so small that employees of the corporation proposing the closure filled nearly every seat. Pallone said:

“More than 500 people came today to speak out about the closure of Monmouth Medical Center hospital in Long Branch and they were denied entry because the state forced this hearing into a room so small that RWJ Barnabas employees filled nearly every seat. No surprise they were able to take seats away from actual residents since the state’s public hearing was held inside an RWJ Barnabas facility. That alone tells you everything about how this process has been handled. I demanded that the hearing be shut down and rescheduled so every resident could participate. That request was crassly ignored, and I am appalled.

 

This so-called public hearing was a disgrace. At every step, it has been engineered to shut the public out. First, the state scheduled it in the middle of the workday and violated basic notice requirements. Then they canceled it but 250 people still showed up because this hospital is a lifeline. And today, the hearing was moved out of Long Branch entirely, making it even harder for residents to participate.

 

Our neighbors stood outside for hours in the cold because they refuse to let a multi billion-dollar organization strip Long Branch of its hospital without a fight. They deserved to be heard. Instead, the state allowed a deeply flawed, profit-driven process to leave residents out in the cold, literally.

 

I will continue leading this fight until RWJ Barnabas abandons this reckless proposal. We will not allow it to be taken from us without a fair, truly public process.”

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

Washington, D.C. – Ranking Member Gregory W. Meeks and Europe Subcommittee Ranking Member Bill Keating sent a letter to Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent and Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressing strong opposition to the Trump administration’s removal of former Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik, his family, and dozens of his affiliates from U.S. sanctions lists. The letter requires the Secretaries to inform Congress about the basis for their decision to de-list Dodik, his family, and his affiliates and how the Trump administration plans to uphold longstanding U.S. policy in the region including to further implement the Dayton Peace Accords.

“For thirty years, the United States has supported and bolstered the Dayton Peace Accords. The removal of these sanctions runs counter to bipartisan foreign policy towards the Western Balkans,” said Ranking Members Meeks and Keating. “It provides destabilizing actors in Republika Srpska, including Mr. Dodik, a free hand in supporting further destabilizing and secessionist rhetoric and undermining Bosnia and Herzegovina’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and multi-ethnic character. Moreso, it raises significant concern regarding this administration’s willingness to stand up to corrupt and pro-Kremlin actors in the Western Balkans”

Full text of the letter is below. A PDF copy is available here.
 

Dear Secretary Bessent and Secretary Rubio,

We write in strong opposition to the October 29, 2025, announcement that the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control removed former President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik, his family members, dozens of his affiliates, and others sanctioned for destabilizing actions in the Western Balkans from the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List.

For thirty years, the United States has supported and bolstered the Dayton Peace Accords. The removal of these sanctions runs counter to bipartisan foreign policy towards the Western Balkans. It provides destabilizing actors in Republika Srpska, including Mr. Dodik, a free hand in supporting further destabilizing and secessionist rhetoric and undermining Bosnia and Herzegovina’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and multi-ethnic character. Moreso, it raises significant concern regarding this administration’s willingness to stand up to corrupt and pro-Kremlin actors in the Western Balkans.

For years, Milorad Dodik and his affiliates have engaged in secessionist activity that has undermined the fragile peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Most recently in August 2025, the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina confirmed Mr. Dodik’s conviction on a one-year prison sentence that may be exchanged for a fine as well as a six-year ban on his participation in politics. Mr. Dodik, who is no longer President of Republika Srpska, continues to deny the verdict, further undermining the Dayton Peace Accords, rule of law, and regional stability in the Western Balkans.

Dodik is not alone in stoking secessionist activity in Republika Srpska. Dodik affiliates as well as his family members, including his son Igor Dodik and daughter Gorica Dodik (both delisted in the October 29th announcement), have used their corrupt connections to enrich themselves, depriving the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina of a fair shot and undermining the Dayton Peace Accords and decades of U.S. foreign policy in the Western Balkans. Dodik, his family, and their affiliates deserve a swift response and meaningful accountability for their actions, not leniency.

Given Mr. Dodik’s destabilizing activities have not ceased, we urge your departments to reverse course. We also request answers to the following questions regarding the delisting of Mr. Dodik and dozens of his affiliates from the SDN List by Wednesday, November 26, 2025.

1. Why did the Office of Foreign Assets Control remove Mr. Dodik, his son and daughter, and other affiliates from the SDN List?
2. What change in behavior did each of the individuals and entities delisted in the October 29, 2025, announcement demonstrate to warrant the removal of their names from the SDN List?
3. How does the removal of these individuals from the SDN List further U.S. interests in the Western Balkans and in Bosnia and Herzegovina
4. How does the removal of these individuals from the SDN list further Bosnia and Herzegovina’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and multi-ethnic character?
5. How do the Departments of State and Treasury plan to impose further costs on Mr. Dodik for his destabilizing actions in the Western Balkans?

Despite recent court rulings and continued international pressure, Mr. Dodik’s actions in the Republika Srpska have not changed. It is critical the United States uses all tools at its disposal to put a stop to his destabilizing actions in the region and prevent a deterioration of the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This includesimplementing additional financial sanctions and visa bans against Dodik and his network, expanding diplomaticactivity and assistance to strengthen Bosnia and Herzegovina’s fragile peace, and appointing a U.S. Special Envoy for the Western Balkans. With these actions in mind, we look forward to your answers to our questions.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

 

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05) released the following statement:  

“I am against this Republican spending bill because it guts America’s health care. Trump and Republicans broke their promise to lower costs for working families. Millions of Americans will soon face skyrocketing premiums, copays, and deductibles because of their failed leadership.

“From day one of the Republican Shutdown, House Democrats have fought for a bipartisan deal that makes health care affordable, so no American has to choose between seeing a doctor and paying for groceries or rent. Now, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits that help millions of Americans afford health care are on track to expire at the end of this year. Speaker Johnson and House Republicans have made it clear that Americans’ health care isn’t a priority for them.

“Republicans and their “One Big Ugly Bill,” created the health care crisis in America and included the largest cut to Medicaid and food assistance in our country’s history. Hospitals, nursing homes and community-based health centers are closing across the country. House Democrats will continue fighting to extend the ACA tax credits, lower health care costs and hold Republicans responsible for rising costs.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

Washington, D.C. – Representatives Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) led 56 of their colleagues in a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging the Trump administration to continue immediate humanitarian and recovery assistance to Jamaica in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

“We write to express our deep concern and solidarity with the people of Jamaica following the catastrophic passage of Hurricane Melissa. We welcome the deployment of a Disaster Assistance Response Team and respectfully urge the Department of State to continue immediate humanitarian and recovery assistance to support Jamaica’s response to this unprecedented disaster.” The Members continued, “Hurricane Melissa represents one of the gravest natural disasters in Jamaica’s modern history. Beyond the immediate humanitarian crisis, this storm threatens to destabilize key sectors of Jamaica’s economy and exacerbate existing vulnerabilities across the Caribbean. The United States, as Jamaica’s close neighbor and ally, is uniquely positioned to lead in providing both emergency relief and strategic support for rebuilding a stronger, more resilient Jamaica. Assisting Jamaica at this critical juncture aligns with America’s humanitarian values and our shared interest in a stable, prosperous, and climate-resilient Caribbean region. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter, and we look forward to your prompt action to provide stability that this moment demands.”

The full text of the letter is available here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)