Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Terri Sewell (AL-07)

Washington D.C. — Today, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) released the following statement:

“President Trump’s executive order to erode voting rights and give Elon Musk access to the American people’s personal voter information is a clear power grab intended to disenfranchise and intimidate voters. Trump is once again showing that he has no regard for the U.S. Constitution, the rule of law, or the fundamental principle that all Americans, regardless of their race, creed, or color, have a right to have their voice heard at the ballot box.

“To be clear, this executive order has nothing to do with protecting the integrity of our elections. These are the actions of a wannabe dictator, and we will not stand by as he attempts to dismantle the core principles of our democracy!

“The American people’s right to vote is sacred, and I will continue the fight to pass H.R. 14, the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, in order to restore the full protections of the Voting Rights Act and protect the American people from the authoritarian actions of the Trump Administration.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE)

Washington, DC — Today Representatives Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Nathaniel Moran (R-TX) reintroduced legislation to ensure federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds are used to help the neediest Americans. The bill, the Targeting TANF to Families in Need Act, would direct states to ensure TANF assistance is targeted toward households with income below 200 percent of the federal poverty line. Currently no federal eligibility limits for TANF exist. 

The congressmen released the following statements: 

“Ensuring TANF programs help families who need it most get back on their feet is tremendously important,” said Rep. Smith. “This bill would help states ensure TANF implementation is focused toward its intended goal of restoring beneficiaries to gainful employment and self-sufficiency. I thank Rep. Moran for joining me in this effort, and I look forward to working with my Ways and Means Committee colleagues to advance this legislation.” 

“I’m proud to join Congressman Adrian Smith in introducing this legislation that reforms the TANF program so that it can continue to meet its original and important purpose to provide temporary assistance for needy families,” said Rep. Moran. “Without reform, though, TANF’s current expansive program will remain inefficient and bloated—like so much of the federal government—and will simply add to the national debt with very little to show as a return on this investment in families. With the reforms in this bill, working families and their children will continue to receive the support they need to achieve independence while promoting the critical values of personal responsibility, hard work, and self-sufficiency. More of these types of reforms are needed across government to bring higher value to the taxpayer for the use of their money.” 

Read text of the bill here. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Russ Fulcher (ID 1)

Fulcher Introduces Bill to Expand Rural Broadband Access | Press Releases | Congressman Russ Fulcher

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Russ Fulcher (ID 1)

Fulcher Announces Next Telephone Town Hall | Press Releases | Congressman Russ Fulcher

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL)

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) and Congressman Max Miller (OH-07) led a bipartisan letter to the Norwegian Nobel Committee endorsing the nomination of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize.  

The bipartisan letter recognizes the Hostage and Missing Families Forum’s unwavering advocacy for hostages taken during Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. It also highlights the Forum’s extraordinary humanitarian leadership, including efforts to maintain international focus on hostages’ fates, providing essential support to affected families, and advocating accountability for these barbaric crimes. The letter was signed by an additional 13 members of Congress from both sides of the aisle. 

“In the wake of Hamas’ barbaric attacks, the families of those taken hostage or missing channeled their grief into action—mobilizing a remarkable global movement to keep their loved ones at the forefront of diplomatic negotiations, demanding accountability, and advocating for all those suffering the devastations of war,” said Rep. Schneider. “By honoring the Hostages and Missing Families Forum with a Nobel Peace Prize, the Nobel Committee would reaffirm the fundamental truth that every life is sacred and that the world cannot look away.”

“I wholeheartedly support this initiative to recognize the Hostages and Missing Families Forum for their unwavering advocacy and leadership,” said Rep. Miller. “Their courage in the face of immense hardship is a beacon of hope and a powerful reminder that no life should be forgotten. Honoring their efforts with the Nobel Peace Prize would be a testament to the strength of those who fight for justice, dignity, and the return of their loved ones.”

Congressman Schneider formally nominated the Forum in January. The bipartisan letter was endorsed by the Foundation for Defense of Democracies Action, Hadassah – The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, J Street, Jewish Federations of North America, National Council of Jewish Women, and the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism.

Additional members of Congress who signed onto the letter include Reps. Don Bacon, Wesley Bell, Donald Davis, Rosa DeLauro, Daniel Goldman, Josh Gottheimer, Thomas Kean, Greg Landsman, Brad Sherman, Greg Stanton, Thomas Suozzi, Juan Vargas and Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

The full text of the letter is available here and below.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee
Henrik Ibsens gate 51
0255 Oslo, Norway

Dear Members of the Nobel Committee:

Every year, the Nobel Peace Prize honors those whose actions illuminate the path toward justice and human dignity. This year, there is no group more deserving of this recognition than the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which represents the families of the hostages kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, 2023.

Through unfathomable anguish and heartbreak, these families have become the conscience of the world, steadfastly reminding the world that their loved ones are not bargaining chips or statistics, but human beings—each with names, stories, and families waiting to embrace them. Undaunted by the horrors of their loved ones’ captivity and the dashed hopes of promised rescue agreements always just over the horizon, the members of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum have not only shown extraordinary grace and humanity, they have helped the world see the humanity of all those suffering the devastation of war. As Jon Polin, the father of murdered hostage Hersh Goldberg Polin so eloquently said, “in a competition of pain, there are no winners.”

The world must forever remember October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise invasion into Israel, barbarically torturing, raping and mutilating innocent civilians—ultimately murdering more than 1,000 people and abducting more than 250 others, including children, the elderly, and entire families. The atrocities committed that day and the suffering endured since defy comprehension. The families of the hostages could have understandably succumbed to despair. Instead, they built a movement. Within 24 hours, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum emerged as a rallying cry for all humanity.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has heroically demanded action from governments, international organizations, and civil society, ensuring that the hostages are not forgotten amid the broader geopolitical calculus. They have organized rallies, briefed world leaders and driven a global effort that has kept the hostages’ fate at the forefront of diplomatic negotiations. Through sheer will and perseverance, they have cast a hopeful light in a time of unbearable darkness.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum’s work goes beyond advocacy. They have provided essential psychological and medical support to families shattered by loss and uncertainty. They have fought to hold Hamas accountable in courts of law and public opinion. Their efforts to define these heinous crimes as violations of international law and to seek justice for the hostages are crucial for building international solidarity. In a world where terror thrives in the shadows, they have forced daylight upon it.

The Nobel Peace Prize has long honored those who elevate humanity’s highest ideals in the face of oppression. In honoring the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, the Committee would reaffirm a fundamental truth: that every life is sacred, that no act of terror can erase our shared humanity, and that the pursuit of justice must never waver. Their nomination is not just about the hostages. It is about the essential principle that the world cannot look away.

We, the undersigned Members of the United States Congress, urge you to honor those who have refused to let the world forget. The families of the hostages did not choose this fight, but they have carried it with grace, determination, and an unwavering belief that justice must prevail. There can be no more fitting recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Andy Harris (MD-01)

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01), will hold a second telephone town hall on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. Please see below for key details.  

Important Details: 

Date: Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Time: 6:00-7:00pm

Listen In: 833-380-0671

Stream Live: Live | Congressman Andy Harris

Questions about the event can be directed to Congressman Harris’ DC office at (202) 225-5311. Constituents who wish to be removed from the call list should contact Congressman Harris’s DC office.
For media inquiries, please contact Anna Adamian at Anna.A@mail.house.gov

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Andy Harris (MD-01)

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Andy Harris, M.D., Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration, released the following statement after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced available supplemental H-2B visas for the second half of Fiscal Year 2025. 

The H-2B program allows foreign workers to temporarily work in the United States, provided that employers have proven that there are not enough U.S. workers who are able, willing, qualified, and available to perform the temporary work. In addition, employers must certify that employing H-2B workers will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of similarly employed U.S. workers.  

Statement From Chairman Harris:

“Thank you to President Trump and his administration for recognizing that the H-2B program is a workforce, not an immigration program, by supporting the release of additional H-2B visas for seasonal employers. This announcement is welcome news for the many businesses and seasonal employers in my district who rely on these H-2B visas to avoid cancelled contracts and lost jobs. Thank you, President Trump!”
For media inquiries, please contact Anna Adamian at Anna.A@mail.house.gov

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon(PA-5)

“This order is a blatant power grab intended to exert control over our electorate and limit who has a political voice.”

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) today released the following statement in response to a sweeping executive action signed by President Trump on Tuesday to overhaul elections in the U.S., including requiring documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections and demanding that all ballots be received by Election Day.

“This week, President Trump launched another attack on American democracy and faith in free and fair elections, issuing an unconstitutional executive order that would disenfranchise millions of American citizens, making it more difficult for many to vote, and needlessly disrupting state election systems. 

“The White House measure would put the federal government in charge of Pennsylvania’s elections — something the Constitution forbids. It targets mail-in voting and imposes politically driven directives on what is supposed to be the bipartisan, independent Election Assistance Commission. The executive order would set new rules for voting equipment and give Elon Musk the ability to access state voter rolls, another shocking violation of Americans’ privacy. States that refuse to comply with the illegal order would lose significant funding designed to improve election security.  

“The President and his right-wing allies are using a propaganda smokescreen to sow distrust about the integrity of our elections and justify this extreme measure. In reality, our elections are very secure, and Pennsylvania is vigilant in enforcing its election laws and auditing elections. This order is a blatant power grab intended to exert control over our electorate and limit who has a political voice. The proponents of these alleged reforms want to ensure a government that’s not for all the people but for only some people. It’s the absolute antithesis of the promise of America. 

“This executive order and Congressional Republican efforts like the SAVE Act won’t prevent noncitizens from voting in U.S. elections – because they don’t. Every reliable study ever done on noncitizen voting has determined it’s vanishingly rare. But by imposing extra registration requirements, which have been proven to exclude eligible voters, this order and the SAVE Act will stop American citizens from voting, and that’s unacceptable. Married women, students, seniors, and low-income voters will all find it more difficult to vote, and may be denied their right to vote.  

“Our history – our quest for a more perfect union – has always been about expanding opportunity and civic participation. In doing so, we’ve sought to make our country more representative, more fair – more perfect. As a government, we should always protect people’s freedom to vote, not rip it away. The American people deserve better than being lectured on the sanctity of our elections by a man who refused to accept his loss in the 2020 election and incited a violent attack on the U.S. Capitol – and our Constitution.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah 6th District Wisconsin)

Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-WI) has introduced the Ensuring Workers Get PAID Act, legislation that permanently reinstates the Payroll Audit Independent Determination (PAID) program, which allows businesses to quickly resolve wage discrepancies for workers. Initially launched under the Trump Administration in 2018, the PAID program returned four times the amount of back wages to employees, when compared to traditional investigations.

This bill is supported by the National Retail Federation, HR Policy Association, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Federation of Independent Business, International Franchise Association, and Institute for the American Worker.

“Our priority must be to ensure American workers quickly and fairly receive the wages they rightfully earned,” said Grothman. “The PAID program was an objective success and returned money to workers much faster than traditional methods, benefiting both employees and businesses. By permanently restoring this program, we provide employers with an efficient way to fix mistakes and ensure workers receive their rightful wages without unnecessary litigation or penalties. This is especially helpful for small businesses, who can’t afford litigation because many are already operating on razor thin margins. I am proud to introduce this commonsense legislation to safeguard American workers and businesses alike.”

“Even the best-intentioned employer can run afoul of the countless federal, state, and local wage and hour regulations. Codification of the PAID program would allow employers to rectify such mistakes quickly, so that employees can justly get their back wages without the involvement of the laborious federal court system process. NRF is proud to support this legislation,” said Edwin Egee, Vice President, Government Affairs and Workforce Development, National Retail Federation.

“HR Policy Association supports the Ensuring Workers Get PAID Act, a practical and balanced solution that benefits both workers and employers by reinstating the PAID program. This program allowed employers to proactively correct inadvertent overtime and minimum wage violations under the FLSA, ensuring employees received back wages promptly while reducing costly and time-consuming litigation. By promoting accountability, efficiency, and fairness, this legislation offers a common-sense approach to resolving wage issues, and we strongly urge lawmakers to reintroduce and support this critical measure,” said Chatrane Birbal, Vice President, Policy and Government Relations, HR Policy Association.

“Small businesses overwhelmingly support the PAID program,” said Dylan Rosnick, NFIB Principal of Federal Government Relations. “Unlike larger businesses, many small businesses do not have dedicated compliance officers or human resources departments, leaving the business owner responsible for handling payroll in-house. The PAID program was successful in helping small business owners correct unintended errors before incurring costly penalties. As Congress looks to deliver pro-growth economic and regulatory policies, reinstating the PAID program would help honest small business owners correct minor violations and comply with the law.” 

Background Information
During President Trump’s first term, the Department of Labor implemented the PAID pilot program, which allowed employers to self-audit, report their findings, and resolve unintentional overtime and minimum wage violations swiftly. This well-received program was terminated by the Biden Administration in 2021, leaving employees and employers with limited options to settle wage and hour discrepancies, often facing costly lawsuits and lengthy investigations.

The Ensuring Workers Get PAID Act will permanently restore the PAID program, thereby simplifying the process for employers to address wage discrepancies and efficiently return wages owed to their employees. Restoring this program not only protects workers by ensuring they promptly receive their correct wages, but it also assists businesses in mitigating unnecessary expenses and compliance costs, allowing them to focus resources on creating jobs and contributing to a thriving economy.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, “Compared to traditional investigations, compliance actions under PAID find more back wages for workers in less time. Through the end of fiscal year 2019, PAID actions found, on average, more than four times the back wages of traditional full investigations and more than 10 times the back wages per [Wage and Hour Division] staff hour invested.”

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U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah) serves the people of Wisconsin’s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

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

Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) yesterday addressed Trump’s upcoming tariffs during a hearing of the Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee before engaging witnesses with questions. Since Beyer’s remarks, Trump has reportedly planned the imposition of additional auto tariffs.

Video of his remarks is available here, and text follows below.

We are having this hearing a week before what President Trump has taken to calling “liberation day” and frankly that adds a bit of absurdity to this exercise. 

We’re discussing new notional trade agreements while the President is busy tearing up the last one he negotiated. I’m very interested in the possibilities of an agreement with the United Kingdom or with Switzerland. But it’s hard to imagine an FTA in the present context.    
On April 2nd, the President has promised to levy tariffs in some form and some amount, based upon some invented but yet-to-be-revealed metrics, on an unknown list of countries, relying on dubious authority.

We are told that these tariffs will remedy all manner of slights real or imagined.
Countries around the world and businesses around the country are scrambling to understand the MAGA astrology that these supposedly “reciprocal” tariffs will be based.

Investment is on pause; your 401k is down, and uncertainty is up.

This opacity might be less dangerous if the President wasn’t simultaneously promoting his crypto token– a historic platform for industrialized bribery.

And depending on what you want to buy, your paycheck won’t stretch as far because Howard Lutnick has felt disrespected by some Prime Minister somewhere. Your life will become more expensive to protect the President’s feelings.

Does that feel like liberation to you?

The past two months of on and off trade war against Canada have given us the perfect distillation of the emptiness and absurdity of the Administration’s trade policy. The Wall Street Journal called it the dumbest trade war in history. When they’re right they’re right.

We’ve heard 17 different pretexts for the necessity of aggressive tariffs that will raise costs, destroy integrated supply chains and turn friends into enemies.

The only one the President will stick to is his desire to turn a proud and friendly nation of 40 million people who can’t stand him into the 51st state. You won’t hear a lot of that from my Republican friends because they know how utterly stupid that sounds.

You won’t sound any smarter explaining to your constituents that the price of their medicines just went up because Denmark refused to sell us Greenland for Trumpcoins.

 Are there irritants in the US-Canada trade relationship? Sure. But this is blowing off your toe to cure a hangnail. It’s burning our manufacturing base in order to save it.

And this has been so successful the President now wants to do a world tour, with American consumers footing the bill.

This committee should be leading the charge to reassert congressional trade authority. We should be working together to protect the economy from an ideological and emotional tariff program that will make us poorer and kill more jobs than it saves.