Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06)

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO-06), a former Army Ranger, will introduce a package of legislation to improve services that veterans and their families rely on and strengthen the benefits they earned through their service.

Congressman Crow has long worked to address the challenges faced by veterans when they return home from service. Crow will introduce bills that would: combat veteran suicide; enhance mental health care; expand access to educational opportunities for veterans’ families; lower recidivism for veterans involved in the criminal justice system; and improve care for veterans struggling with ALS.

“I went to war three times for this country, and throughout my time in Congress, I have worked hard to ensure my fellow veterans are equipped to transition to civilian life,” said Congressman Crow. “Challenges still remain, but our veterans simply can’t wait any longer for the help they need. That’s why I’m introducing five bills to address challenges facing our veterans so that they and their families have the resources to thrive.” 

As an Iraq and Afghanistan veteran, ensuring America’s military servicemembers and their families get appropriate care and resources is a top priority for Congressman Crow. Earlier this year, he introduced the Support Modern Approaches in Recovery Technology for Traumatic Brain Injury (SMART for TBI) Act, bipartisan legislation that would improve care for active-duty servicemembers suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI). In the 117th Congress, he supported the PACT Act, which expands care to millions of servicemembers exposed to toxic chemicals.

Read more about each of the bills Crow will introduce below.

Combatting Veteran Suicide

Congressman Crow is introducing the Veterans’ Sentinel Act, bipartisan legislation to address suicides on Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) campuses by requiring comprehensive analysis of the underlying causes and enhancing congressional oversight of these facilities. Veterans make up less than eight percent of the population, yet in 2023 represented a disproportionate 13.8% of all suicide deaths among adults in the US annually.

This bill would establish a working group focused on accurately collecting and analyzing the data, while also requiring the VA Secretary to submit an annual report to Congress detailing on-campus veteran suicides and suicide attempts and recommendations for improving prevention efforts.

Congressman Jake Ellzey (R-TX-06) will join Congressman Crow in introducing this bill. 

Click here for a one-pager detailing more information about this bill. 

Enhancing Mental Health Care

Congressman Crow is introducing the Building Resources and Access for Veterans’ Mental Health Engagement (BRAVE) Act, which would enhance veterans’ access to mental health care at the VA. It would achieve this by strengthening the VA’s mental health workforce and and services, and would renew the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program—a grant program that provides funding for local organizations combatting veteran suicide.

Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02) will join Congressman 

Crow in introducing this bipartisan legislation. 

Click here for a one-pager detailing more information about this bill. 

Expanding Access to Education for Veterans’ Families

Congressman Crow is introducing the Veterans Earned Education Act, a bipartisan bill that expands educational opportunities for dependents of servicemembers who qualify for the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program. Under current transfer guidelines, servicemembers may not transfer these benefits unless they have already completed at least six years of service and agree to serve an additional four years from the date of the transfer request. This requirement places an additional burden on some of our most deserving servicemembers – those who have dedicated their lives to service and those who are medically retired. The bipartisan Veterans Earned Education Act would expand educational opportunities for the dependents and spouses of those servicemembers without imposing additional service obligations.

Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC-02) will join Congressman Crow in introducing this bipartisan legislation. 

Click here for a one-pager detailing more information about this bill. 

Improving Care for Veterans with ALS

Congressman Crow is introducing the Veterans with ALS Reporting Act. Data suggests that veterans are twice as likely to develop ALS – which is why the VA recognizes ALS as a service-connected disease and assigns a 100% disability rating upon diagnosis. However, very little is known about why this link exists or what can be done to protect those who serve. 

Congressman Crow’s bipartisan bill would require the VA to study the prevalence of ALS within the military and veteran communities, and create a strategy to improve access to clinical trials for veterans with the condition. 

ALS Caucus Co-Chairs Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL-07), and Congressman Ken Calvert (R-CA-41) will join Congressman Crow in introducing this bill. 

Click here for a one-pager detailing more information about this bill. 

Lower Recidivism for Veterans in the Criminal Justice System

Congressman Crow is introducing the Justice Involved Veterans Support Act, bipartisan legislation to reduce recidivism and provide support to veterans involved with the criminal justice system across the country. 

More than half of these veterans face mental health challenges, such as PTSD and depression, or substance abuse disorders, such as alcoholism and drug addiction. While existing services such as Veteran Treatment Courts and Veterans Justice Outreach programs have been shown to lower recidivism and facilitate access to VA services, many justice-involved veterans do not know that these services exist. The Justice Involved Veterans Support Act would create a pilot program to help identify veterans involved in the criminal justice system so they can better access these resources.

Congressman Don Bacon (R-NE-02) will join Congressman Crow in introducing this bipartisan legislation. 

Click here for a one-pager detailing more information about this bill. 

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06)

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO-06), a former Army Ranger who serves on the House Armed Services Committee and Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, in a new bipartisan letter, is calling for answers about a series of lethal military strikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific. Congressman Crow was joined on this letter by Reps. Seth Moulton (D-MA-06), Don Bacon (R-NE-02), and Mike Turner (R-OH-10).

The letter asks the administration to clarify the legal basis for the strikes, whether the administration intends to seek congressional authorization, whether the individuals being targeted truly pose an active threat to the United States, and what processes exist to verify targets. It also calls for a classified briefing to the Armed Services Committee on how individuals and vessels are identified and what post-strike review mechanisms are in place.

“We need to stop the flow of illegal drugs into our communities, but I have yet to hear a strategy from this administration on how they are going to accomplish that. Congress, and the American people, need answers,” said Congressman Crow. It seems like this administration has learned nothing from 25 years of war, trillions of dollars spent, and thousands of lives lost. This is not a problem we can bomb our way out of, Americans want restraint and lasting security, not more endless conflicts.”

“We support efforts to reduce the flow of deadly drugs,” the lawmakers wrote. “But every U.S. military action must adhere to the legal, moral, and ethical standards that set America apart from its adversaries.”

Congressman Crow has been vocal about the need for Congress to re-assert its authority over the use of military force. He introduced a War Powers Resolution to block future military action without approval from Congress following the unauthorized use of force in the Caribbean Sea. He also serves as the top Democrat on the bipartisan Cartel Task Force within the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. This bipartisan task force is working to identify legislative actions that can combat the threat from dangerous cartels in the Western Hemisphere, including narcotics trafficking, human trafficking, the arms trade, and other illegal and destabilizing activities.

A PDF of Congressman Crow’s letter can be found here and below:

Dear Mr. President: 

We write as bipartisan Members of Congress who share your goals of protecting American families from the deadly toll of narcotics and of halting the flow of these substances into our country. We understand that beginning on September 2, 2025, the United States military began carrying out lethal strikes against boats reportedly smuggling drugs in the Caribbean Sea and the Eastern Pacific Ocean and has conducted fifteen such strikes to date. In a notification to Congress dated September 15, 2025, your administration provided a justification for the use of lethal military force, and on October 30, 2025, representatives briefed members of the House Committee on Armed Services on the strikes. We remain committed to public safety and have questions about the strategy and legal status of these strikes.

Accordingly, we respectfully request that you provide thorough answers to the questions below no later than November 14th, 2025. 

1. Do you intend to request an Authorization for the Use of Military Force from Congress for this operation? If you do not believe that to be necessary, please explain your rationale.
2. The September notification states that the United States is now in a non-international armed conflict with drug-trafficking organizations, which represents a major shift in how our country fights transnational crime. Under what specific legal authority are these strikes being conducted? 
3. For decades, counter-drug operations in this region have been conducted via visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) missions with DoD in a supporting role. Why have you pivoted to employing lethal strikes instead of using those resources in support of law enforcement–based interdiction and arrest operations? 
4. What is your plan to brief Congress at the appropriate classification level on the military intelligence used to designate certain transnational criminal organizations as terrorist groups and to positively identify the vessels and individuals subject to these strikes? 
5. Cartels often force low-income individuals into maritime smuggling through threats or deception. What evidence confirms that those killed were cartel operatives, rather than coerced, deceived, or trafficked civilians? What review mechanisms exist to investigate and assess strikes? Will Congress receive post-strike identity verification and target assessment reports for every engagement? 
6. Your administration has deemed the individuals on these boats to be unlawful combatants posing an imminent threat to U.S. security that warrants lethal engagement. At the same time, survivors of the October 16 strike were repatriated to their home country with no agreement for their prosecution. Could you clarify how this approach aligns with your stated legal and policy rationale? 

We strongly support the effort to reduce the flow of narcotics into this country. This effort, like every action the United States military takes, must be done within the legal, moral, and ethical framework that sets us apart from our adversaries. We look forward to hearing your answers on this critical national security issue. We respectfully request a response by November 14th, 2025. Thank you for your attention.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06)

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO-06), in a new letter, is calling on President Trump and congressional Republicans to reopen the government as 42 million Americans–including 1 in 10 Coloradans– are at risk of losing their food assistance benefits.

600,000 Coloradans are projected to lose their food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) unless Congress acts. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has said it will halt money sent to states, including Colorado, starting November 1. In addition to SNAP, funding for the USDA’s Emergency Food Assistance Program — which provides food to food banks — will also cease on November 1 unless government funding is restored.

“While Donald Trump builds himself a $300 million ballroom, Secretary Kristi Noem buys herself two new luxury jets, Republicans give billionaires a massive tax cut, and the President gives a $40 billion taxpayer-funded bailout to corrupt foreign leaders, working Coloradans are being hurt by this government shutdown and going hungry,” said Congressman Crow. “Republicans have created a health care crisis in this country. Yet they are not focused on making life more affordable and lowering costs. As people suffer, they can’t even show up for work. It’s truly shameful.”

Congressman Crow has repeatedly called on Speaker Johnson and congressional Republicans to bring the House back to negotiate, pass a budget, and end the shutdown.

A PDF of Congressman Crow’s letter can be found here and below:

Dear Madam Secretary,

Right now, millions of Americans are struggling to afford food due to the Administration’s ill-conceived trade war. Just this year, we’ve seen household staples like eggs, coffee, and ground beef hit record high prices. Now more than ever, millions of families across the country depend upon the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to make ends meet. For far too many veterans, seniors, and children, SNAP benefits are the difference between having food or not. Now, due to the government shutdown, they are facing crippling levels of uncertainty about whether they will be able to afford food next month. 

A potential lapse in benefits would be felt by Americans of all ages and affect every corner and congressional district in the country. As the largest food assistance program in the United States, SNAP serves 42 million people. That includes 16 million children, 8 million seniors, 4 million people with disabilities, and 1.2 million veterans. 

That is why we were deeply concerned to see your comments suggesting that SNAP will run out of funding in two weeks and that no SNAP benefits will be issued in November. USDA’s shutdown plan acknowledges that “Congressional intent is evident that SNAP’s operations should continue since the program has been provided with multi-year contingency funds…” USDA still has significant funding available in SNAP’s contingency reserve – which Congress provides precisely for this reason – that can be used to fund the bulk of November benefits.

We urge USDA to use these funds for November SNAP benefits and issue clear guidance to states on how to navigate benefit issuance. Additionally, while the contingency reserve will not cover November benefits in full, we urge USDA to use its statutory transfer authority or any other legal authority at its disposal to supplement these dollars and fully fund November benefits.

There are clear steps the administration can and must take immediately to ensure that millions of families across the country can put food on their table in November. Choosing not to ensure SNAP benefits reach those in need this November would be a gross dereliction of your responsibilities to the American people. We appreciate your consideration of these requests.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (15th District of Texas)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (15th District of Texas)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (District of Columbia)

WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Ahead of Veterans Day, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced her annual resolution honoring D.C.’s veterans and current service members and their families, all who served their country and continue to serve without voting representation in Congress or complete home rule. The resolution condemns the denial of voting rights in Congress and full home rule for D.C. veterans and their families and calls for statehood for the District.

“D.C. residents have fought and died for their country in every American war, including the Revolutionary War, yet they’re still denied full voting representation in Congress and control over their own local affairs,” Norton said. “This resolution honors their sacrifices and calls for statehood so more than 700,000 Americans can finally have equality under the law with residents of the states.”

Norton’s resolution follows.

H. RES. __

Recognizing the service of all District of Columbia veterans, condemning the denial of voting representation in Congress and full local self-government for veterans and their families who are District of Columbia residents, and calling for statehood for the District of Columbia through the enactment of the Washington, D.C. Admission Act (H.R. 51 and S. 51), particularly in light of the service of District of Columbia veterans in every American war.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Ms. Norton submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on _______________

RESOLUTION

Recognizing the service of all District of Columbia veterans, condemning the denial of voting representation in Congress and full local self-government for veterans and their families who are District of Columbia residents, and calling for statehood for the District of Columbia through the enactment of the Washington, D.C. Admission Act (H.R. 51 and S. 51), particularly in light of the service of District of Columbia veterans in every American war.

Whereas, on November 11, our Nation observes Veterans Day, a Federal holiday commemorating the men and women who served in the military;

Whereas the service and sacrifice of all American veterans must be recognized;

Whereas the service of the approximately 30,000 veterans who are District of Columbia residents is unparalleled because they served without voting representation in Congress and full local self-government;

Whereas residents of the District of Columbia fought to create the United States, fighting for the Revolutionary War slogan of “no taxation without representation”, and have served in every war fought by the United States since;

Whereas 635 District of Columbia residents were casualties of World War I, a casualty figure greater than that of 3 different States during that war;

Whereas 3,575 District of Columbia residents were casualties of World War II, a casualty figure greater than that of 4 different States during that war;

Whereas 547 District of Columbia residents were casualties of the Korean war, a casualty figure greater than that of 8 different States during that war;

Whereas 243 District of Columbia residents were casualties of the Vietnam war, a casualty figure greater than that of 10 different States during that war;

Whereas almost 200,000 District of Columbia residents have served in the military since World War I;

Whereas residents of the District of Columbia, including active duty servicemembers, National Guard members, reservists, and veterans, continue to be denied voting representation in the House of Representatives and the Senate, as well as full local self-government;

Whereas the Washington, D.C. Admission Act (H.R. 51 and S. 51) would grant full and equal voting rights in Congress as well as unimpeded democratic control over local affairs to the District of Columbia by making it the 51st State; and

Whereas, on June 26, 2020, and April 22, 2021, the House of Representatives passed the Washington, D.C. Admission Act, the only two times in history the D.C. statehood bill has been passed by either chamber of Congress: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives recognizes the service of all District of Columbia veterans, condemns the denial of voting representation in Congress and full local self-government for veterans and their families who are District of Columbia residents, and calls for statehood for the District of Columbia through the enactment of the Washington, D.C. Admission Act (H.R. 51 and S. 51), particularly in light of the service of District of Columbia veterans in every American war.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (District of Columbia)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) today introduced their bill to give the District of Columbia the same number of U.S. service academy nominations and appointments as states. Currently, each member of the House and Senate is allocated five appointments to each of the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, and the U.S. Air Force Academy, and is allowed to nominate 15 people for each appointment. However, because D.C. has no senators, the District is deprived of 10 appointments to each of these service academies.

“This bill would bring equality to the residents of the District who choose to serve their country by applying to a service academy,” said Norton. “It is remarkable that D.C. residents volunteer to serve a country that denies them statehood, congressional voting rights and full home rule. Yet, District residents have fought in every American war, and our residents, who pay all federal taxes, including paying more federal taxes per capita than the residents of any state, deserve to have the same access to our prestigious service academies as residents of the states.”

“Every young person, regardless of their zip code, should have the opportunity to compete for a nomination to be considered for admittance to one of our nation’s service academies,” said Kaine. “I’m proud to join Congresswoman Norton to introduce this bill that will ensure all residents of D.C. who hope to pursue military service through attending a military academy have the same access to do so.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (District of Columbia)

WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a bill that would make D.C. eligible for federal funding under the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 and give D.C. oversight of federal agency actions that affect its coastal waters. 

“D.C. urgently needs the protections of the CZMA — a federal law that provides planning and technical services to help states protect, restore and develop their coastal communities and resources. Scientists predict that the tides on the Atlantic Coast could rise 2-4 feet by the year 2100, causing as much as $7 billion in D.C. property to be threatened by floodwaters,” Norton said. “This includes private homes, businesses, the National Mall, federal buildings and three military bases. 

“Additionally, it appears that D.C.’s initial omission from the bill was a mistake. It’s past time to correct this error.”

The House passed this bill as part of the Coastal and Great Lakes Communities Enhancement Act in the 116^th Congress.

Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of the               District of Columbia Flood Prevention Act of 2025

November 4, 2025

Today, I introduce the District of Columbia Flood Prevention Act of 2025.  This bill would amend the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (CZMA) to make the District of Columbia an eligible entity.  The House passed this bill as part of the Coastal and Great Lakes Communities Enhancement Act in the 116th Congress. 

This bill would make D.C. eligible for federal funding for coastal zone management and give D.C. oversight of federal agency actions that affect its coastal waters.  D.C. urgently needs the protection of the CZMA because of serious flood risks that affect federal assets, residents and businesses in D.C., including the National Mall and federal buildings in the Federal Triangle area. 

The CZMA provides planning and technical services to assist states in protecting, restoring and developing coastal communities and resources.  Once the federal government approves a state’s coastal management plan, the state becomes eligible for federal funding and federal agency actions must be consistent with the state plan. 

Even though D.C. is located on two rivers and has suffered substantial coastal floods, it was omitted from the list of eligible entities in the CZMA.  It is notable that under the CZMA, the term ‘‘coastal state’’ includes the states and territories.  D.C. residents pay full federal taxes and therefore D.C. is usually treated as a state for federal programs.  It appears D.C.’s omission was a mistake.  This oversight likely occurred because the CZMA was passed in 1972, which was before D.C. achieved home rule. 

Scientists have predicted that the tides on the Atlantic Coast could rise two to four feet by 2100, causing property worth as much as $7 billion in D.C. to be routinely under threat by floodwaters.  This includes private homes and businesses, the National Mall, federal buildings and three military bases.  The Anacostia and Potomac rivers, which surround D.C., are tidally influenced.  In addition, the Maryland and Virginia coastal zones each include the tidal Potomac River, with Maryland’s zone ending at the D.C. line. 

I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (District of Columbia)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced a bill to redesignate the D.C. Mayor as Governor, the D.C. Council as the Legislative Assembly, the D.C. Councilmembers as Representatives and the Chair of the D.C. Council as Speaker. These are the titles used in the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth constitution, which the District adopted in 2016 in anticipation of passage of a bill to make D.C. the 51st state. Norton introduced the bill to highlight that D.C. is prepared to make the transition from district to state. D.C. residents pay full federal taxes and D.C. operates as the functional equivalent of a state, providing state-, county- and city-level services, despite being denied voting representation in the House and Senate and full local self-government.

“While members of Congress from distant states have always tried to interfere in D.C.’s local laws and regulations, this bill is particularly important at a time when attacks on D.C. home rule are more happening more frequently than at any time since the 1990s,” Norton said. “Changing the titles of key governmental figures highlights the fact that D.C. already operates as the functional equivalent of a state, despite being denied voting representation in Congress and full local self-government.”

This bill would not change any legal authorities.

In addition to introducing her bill to grant D.C. statehood, Norton has introduced bills to reduce the federal government’s control over local D.C. matters and to expand D.C. equality.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (District of Columbia)

WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released a statement after learning that the National Park Service (NPS) returned the statue of Confederate General Albert Pike to its place near Judiciary Square over the weekend. It had been in storage for five years after being pulled down by protesters in 2020.

“Over the weekend, the Trump Administration followed through on its decision to restore and reinstall the Albert Pike statue to its place near Judiciary Square. The morally objectionable move is an affront to the mostly Black and Brown residents of the District of Columbia and offensive to members of the military who serve honorably,” Norton said. “Pike himself served dishonorably. He took up arms against the United States, misappropriated funds, and was ultimately captured and imprisoned by his own troops. He resigned in disgrace after committing a war crime and dishonoring even his own Confederate military service. Confederate statues should be placed in museums as historical artifacts, not remain in parks or other locations that imply honor. Pike represents the worst of the Confederacy and has no claim to be memorialized in the Nation’s capital.”

Norton introduced a bill in August to permanently remove the statue and authorize the Secretary of the Interior to donate it to a museum or a similar entity. Norton’s bill was passed by the House Committee on Natural Resources in the 116^th Congress.

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